US Supreme Court ruling lets Trump fire top official on FTC

September 22, 2025

The US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that President Donald Trump can dismiss Federal Trade Commission Democratic Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter while legal challenges continue. This decision comes alongside the Court's agreement to review a 1935 precedent that protects independent agencies from presidential control. The liberal justices, led by Elena Kagan, dissented, arguing that the ruling gives the president control over agencies Congress designed to be independent and bipartisan.

Who is affected

FTC Democratic Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter
Democratic FTC member Alvaro Bedoya (who has since resigned)
Federal Trade Commission's bipartisan structure
Independent regulatory agencies protected by the Humphrey's Executor precedent
Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook (in a separate but related case)

What action is being taken

President Trump is dismissing Democratic commissioners from the FTC
The Supreme Court is allowing these dismissals to proceed while legal challenges continue
The Supreme Court is reviewing the 1935 Humphrey's Executor precedent that protects independent agencies
The Court is scheduling arguments for December on potentially overturning the 90-year-old ruling

Why it matters

The ruling threatens the independence and bipartisan nature of agencies Congress created to be insulated from political influence
It could fundamentally alter the structure of independent regulatory agencies established by Congress
Justice Kagan warns this gives presidents control over agencies regardless of congressional intent
It challenges a nearly century-old legal precedent that has shaped the relationship between the executive branch and independent agencies

What's next

The Supreme Court will hear arguments in December on overturning the 1935 Humphrey's Executor decision

Read full article from source: BBC