The U.S. Supreme Court rules in Slaughter v. Trump that President Donald Trump has authority to remove Federal Trade Commission (FTC) commissioner Rebecca Slaughter despite “for cause” protections in the FTC’s governing statute. The court issues a 6–3 decision overturning decades of precedent set by Humphrey’s Executor, a 1935 ruling that had limited presidents’ ability to fire officials in independent federal agencies absent specified grounds.
Several outlets report that the ruling ends or significantly weakens the legal foundation for FTC commissioners’ independence by allowing presidential control over removal. The case centers on Slaughter, a Democratic commissioner on the FTC, who challenged her removal after Trump attempted to fire her last year. Coverage also notes that the decision is expected to expand presidential hiring and firing authority over other independent regulators beyond the FTC.
Reactions include Slaughter publicly stating she is “profoundly disappointed” by the ruling. Other reports describe broader concerns that the decision strengthens presidential influence over agencies that affect consumers and that it changes the separation-of-powers balance for independent commissions.
The court also distinguishes the Federal Reserve in a separate decision, where it blocks removal of a Federal Reserve governor.
