SCOTUS hears case expanding the president's power over agencies

WASHINGTON —

In oral arguments Monday, the Supreme Court considered a case that could expand the president's authority over independent agencies.

In Trump v. Slaughter , the justices will determine whether President Donald Trump's firing of Federal Trade Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter earlier this year is considered constitutional. Slaughter's dismissal has further raised the question of whether the president can fire heads of independent agencies without cause.

The Trump administration argues that agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) exercise executive power and, therefore, must also answer to the executive branch, including the president, elected by the people.

"The sky will not fall. In fact, our entire government will move towards accountability to the people," Gene