The Supreme Court embraced the “unitary executive” legal theory on Monday, finding that President Trump could fire without cause a commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission.
In Trump v. Slaughter, the Supreme Court ruled that the president has the constitutional power to discharge at will commissioners of the Federal Trade Commission — and heads of numerous other agencies, such as the National Labor Relations Board and the Federal Communications Commission. These agencies are supposed to be independent from the President. Some legal experts believe this decision is a mistake as the Constitution does not give the President sole authority but others feel this was the right decision in that the the Constitution elaborately restricts the president’s appointment power but says nothing about dismissing executive branch officials.
Constitutional expert and attorney Robert McWhirter joins “Arizona Horizon” to discuss the theory and explain its consequences.
