US Supreme Court upholds Trump’s firing of FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter | Today’s news
The US Supreme Court handed President Donald Trump a major victory on Monday (June 29) by upholding his dismissal of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, overturning a landmark 1935 precedent that shielded the heads of certain independent federal agencies from removal.
In a 6-3 decision, the justices struck down statutory term protections for FTC commissioners, significantly expanding the president’s authority over independent regulatory agencies.
The court overturned the 1935 precedent
The court ruled that Trump had lawfully fired FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, overturning a lower court decision that reinstated her.
In doing so, the justices overturned the 1935 ruling in Humphrey’s Executor vs. United States, which allowed Congress to protect the heads of certain independent regulatory agencies from dismissal without cause.
The decision significantly expands presidential authority over executive agencies.
Why was Rebecca Slaughter fired?
Trump fired Slaughter in March 2025, citing political differences.
Slaughter, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, argued that federal law allows FTC commissioners to be removed only “for cause” such as inefficiency, dereliction of duty or misconduct — not political disagreements.
Her term of office was to last until 2029.
Why did the court overturn the precedent?
The majority concluded that today’s FTC exercises significant executive power and therefore falls within the President’s constitutional authority to oversee the executive branch.
What was Humphrey’s executor?
The ruling overturns one of the Supreme Court’s most influential rulings on presidential power.
In Humphrey’s Executor v. United States (1935), the court held that President Franklin D. Roosevelt could not remove FTC commissioners simply because of policy disagreements.
The decision established that Congress could create independent agencies whose leaders enjoy protection from dismissal except for specific reasons.
For more than 90 years, this precedent has helped preserve the independence of agencies such as the FTC, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB).
Read also | The US Supreme Court has blocked Trump’s bid to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook
Trump sees government as ‘BIG WIN’
Trump Celebrated Supreme Court Ruling Upholding His Firing of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Commissioner Rebecca Slaughterwho calls it a “BIG WIN” in a post on Truth Social.
Trump said the decision upheld the president’s authority under Article II of the U.S. Constitution to remove executive branch officials and agency appointees.
“Big win just a moment ago at the Supreme Court in the Slaughter case, which upheld the President’s power … to remove Executive Branch officials and appointed agencies,” Trump wrote.
He described the ruling as a “historic and unprecedented ruling” and said US presidents had sought such a ruling since the 1930s. Trump added that it was “one of the most important that has ever been given in terms of presidential powers.”
Why is the Federal Reserve treated differently?
Although the court expanded presidential power over the FTC, it clearly distinguished the Federal Reserve.
The same day, the Supreme Court refused to allow Trump to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, keeping her in office while the lawsuits continue.
The justices described the Federal Reserve as having a “unique historical tradition” and said its independence remains protected.
This distinction suggests that the court views the central bank differently from other regulatory agencies because of its critical role in setting monetary policy and maintaining financial stability.
Read also | Trump loses Supreme Court appeal in E. Jean Carroll case; $5 Million Verdict Stands
