The Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in a key case that will determine the scope of the president’s authority over independent agencies. Close watchers of the case said the justices sounded inclined to broaden President Donald Trump’s power.
Trump fired Federal Trade Commissioners Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya in March. The two sued, starting a major legal battle of Trump’s second term that could transform the limits of presidential authority. Bedoya was dismissed from the lawsuit in July following his resignation from the agency.
The justices largely fell along partisan lines during oral arguments, with the prevailing question appearing to be where the court should draw the line for the president’s removal powers, rather than if they will expand those powers.