Agency Leaders and Staff Craft New Role as ‘At-Will’ Employees

A year ago, agency heads assumed they were appointed for fixed terms and protected by law from summary termination. However, by means of a series of presidential actions, even the leaders of the “independent” agencies have been “re-classified” as at-will employees, serving at the pleasure of the president. This is in concert with an expanded view of presidential authority announced by the Supreme Court. Just how the leaders respond to their new status—and how this will affect the work of the agencies—is...