The Supreme Court seems likely to expand presidential control over independent federal agencies, signaling support for President Donald Trump ’s firing of board members.

During arguments on Monday, the court’s conservative majority suggested it would overturn a 90-year-old decision that has limited when presidents can fire agencies’ board members, or leave it with only its shell intact.

Lawyers for the administration are defending Trump’s decision to fire Federal Trade Commission member Rebecca Slaughter without cause and calling on the court to jettison the unanimous 1935 decision known as Humphrey’s Executor.

The court’s six conservative justices already have signaled strong support for the administration’s position by allowing Slaughter and the board members of other agencies to be r

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