The United States Supreme Court has overturned a 90-year-old protection for certain public service workers, allowing them to be fired at will by the President.
The protections were established nearly a century ago, during a 1935 case called Humphrey's Executor vs. United States, for members of the Federal Trade Commission, and prevented them from being removed without cause.
Now, the Supreme Court has ruled the protection is unconstitutional and overturned it, as part of the Trump vs Slaughter case, granting sweeping new power to President Donald Trump.
The decision was made in a 6-to-3 ruling, backed by conservative judges, with Chief Justice John Roberts saying the ruling impeded on the President's constitutional authority.
"Although it is up to the Senate to decide whether to confirm those with whom the President would prefer to work, neither Congress nor the courts may saddle him with those with whom he cannot work," Roberts wrote for the majority.
“Subordinates who exercise the President's power are subject to removal by him. Then, and only then, can they remain accountable to the President, and the President to the people.”
