The Trump administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to rule that the president should have authority to dismiss a member of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The move is part of a wider effort to expand presidential control over independent regulatory agencies, which traditionally operate with limited executive influence.
Government lawyers argued that restrictions preventing the president from removing FTC commissioners undermine executive power. They claimed such protections violate the constitutional principle of presidential accountability.
The case could have far-reaching implications for how independent federal agencies operate, particularly those designed to maintain political neutrality. Critics warn that granting such authority could weaken agency independence and risk turning regulatory decisions into political tools.
