12/08/2025
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/supreme-court-arguments-trump-firing-ftc-commissioner/
The Supreme Court is today (December 8th) hearing a major legal battle involving President Trump's move to oust a member of the Federal Trade Commission, a case that could expand presidential power over independent agencies that Congress has sought to insulate from political pressure.
Most people will only see this through tribal (Democrat-Republican) eyes, but here is why the president can fire ANY government official of the United States:
Article II, Section I
"The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America."
ALL the executive power of the U.S. is within and under the president. It follows there is NO government official the president cannot fire.
That is correct understanding of the Constitution.
This same question was central to the impeachment of Andrew Johnson.
The founders knew only monarchy and they understandably followed that model with the presidency. If we don't like this today, and it is arguably too much power, then it requires an amendment to the Constitution.
Is it time to fix it? Maybe so. There are some good ideas.
The Supreme Court is considering whether removal protections for members of the Federal Trade Commission violate the separation of powers.
