The Intelligence from The Economist “You’re…fired?” A momentous Supreme Court case
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Dec 9, 2025 
Join Stephen Mazey, a Supreme Court correspondent, and Tim Cross, a senior science writer, as they dive into pivotal issues surrounding presidential power and astronomy. Mazey discusses the far-reaching implications of a Supreme Court case on presidential removal authority, while Cross sheds light on how satellite constellations are sabotaging astronomical observations, leading to innovative challenges in current technology. They also explore the surprising resurgence of the pen industry amidst declining trends. It's a fascinating blend of law, science, and market dynamics!
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Removal Protections Under Fire
- Trump challenged long-standing removal protections by firing FTC commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter without claiming inefficiency, neglect, or malfeasance.
- Lower courts blocked the firing and the Supreme Court put the case on its regular docket, raising constitutional stakes.
Court Signposts Point Toward Overruling
- The Supreme Court's conservative majority has repeatedly allowed emergency removals across multiple agencies this year.
- Those earlier rulings indicate the court may be prepared to erode Humphrey's Executor protections for multi-member agencies.
Clash Over Accountability Vs Independence
- Conservative justices argued independent agencies exercising executive power must be answerable to the president.
- Liberal justices warned that eliminating protections would destroy government structure and congressional choices about agency independence.