The NPR Politics Podcast Supreme Court Considers Vastly Expanding The President’s Powers
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Dec 10, 2025 
Andrea Hsu, NPR's labor and workplace correspondent, dives into the Supreme Court's deliberations on presidential power regarding independent federal agencies. She highlights the significant case involving FTC head Rebecca Slaughter's firing and the ramifications of the Trump administration’s unitary-executive argument. Hsu explains the critical roles of agencies like the FTC and concerns over eroding protections against political influence. The discussion explores the potential risks of political patronage and how this decision could redefine checks and balances for future presidencies.
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Administration’s Unitary Executive Claim
- The Trump administration argues the president must control removable executive officers to execute promises to voters.
- They claim removal limits conflict with the Constitution's vesting of executive power in the president.
Unitary Executive And Shrinking Checks
- Conservative legal thought favors a powerful unitary executive that can override congressional independence for agencies.
- Mara Liasson warns this trend shifts power from Congress and weakens administrative guardrails.
What Independent Agencies Do
- Independent agencies like the FTC, CPSC, NLRB and MSPB enforce consumer safety, competition, and labor rights.
- They issue rules, investigate firms and protect workers from unfair practices away from daily politics.