A U.S. appeals court on Friday said President Donald Trump had the power to fire Democratic members of two federal labor boards, a major victory in the Republican president's bid to rein in agencies meant to be independent from the White House.

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2 to 1 that President Trump's firings of Democratic members of the Merit Systems Protection Board and the National Labor Relations Board were lawful.

Trump seeks to intervene while Cannon decides if Smith’s report will be released in a dispute over presidential authority.

By John Kruzel WASHINGTON, Dec 5 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court next week weighs the legality of Donald Trump's firing of a Federal Trade Commission member in a major test of presidential power over agencies set up by Congress to be insulated from White House control in a case that could imperil a 90-year-old legal precedent.

Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone faces legal challenge that questions the legitimacy of his appointment to the post.

Trump has imposed and reimposed sweeping tariffs since taking office in January.

The Supreme Court’s final session of the year is shaping up to be a big one. When the justices return to the bench following Thanksgiving, they’ll hear arguments on President Trump’s efforts

Trump officials vowed to quickly appeal Comey's case after a judge dismissed it — but those efforts could portend fresh legal challenges amid multiple setbacks.