Episode 921: How Much Power Does the President Have Over Independent Agencies? Trump vs. Slaughter in the SCOTUS Tests the ‘Unitary Executive' Theory

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Dec. 9, 2025

How Much Power Does the President Have Over Independent Agencies? Trump vs. Slaughter in the SCOTUS Tests the ‘Unitary Executive” Theory
A case before the U.S. Supreme Court December 8th tests the “unitary executive” theory – how much power the presidency has over agencies Congress designed to be “independent”. The Federal Election Commission is one of those agencies.

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Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Federal Trade Commission - Commissioners
American Democracy Minute - Executive Order Asserting Presidential Authority Over Independent Agencies Could Put Federal Election Oversight Under Partisan Control
Economic Policy Institute - Firing FTC Commissioners
SCOTUS Blog - Trump v. Slaughter: an explainer
Brennan Center for Justice - Historian’s Amicus Brief in Trump v. Slaughter
NPR - Legal scholar discusses SCOTUS case on the firing of a Democratic FTC commissioner

Groups Taking Action:

Campaign Legal Center, Protect Democracy, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State

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