WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday expanded presidential authority to remove leaders of independent federal agencies, overturning a 91-year-old precedent that had shielded certain officials from at-will dismissal.
In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that statutory protections limiting the president's ability to fire members of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) violate the Constitution's separation of powers. The ruling allows President Donald Trump to remove FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, a Democrat, and potentially affects leaders at roughly two dozen other multimember agencies.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the conservative majority that subordinates exercising executive power must be accountable to the president. The decision overturns the 1935 precedent in *Humphrey’s Executor v. United States*, which had permitted Congress to insulate officials at agencies performing quasi-legislative or quasi-judicial functions from removal except for cause.
The three liberal justices dissented.
In a related development, the court in a separate order preserved the independence of the Federal Reserve, blocking Trump's attempt to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook for now and allowing her challenge to proceed in lower courts.
The rulings come as the Trump administration has sought greater control over federal regulators. Trump hailed the decision as a “BIG WIN” for executive authority.
Legal experts said the decision could reshape the structure of the administrative state by giving presidents broader sway over agencies that issue regulations and enforce laws. The precise scope for other agencies remains subject to further litigation.
Details on immediate implementation and reactions from affected agencies were still emerging. The Supreme Court issued its opinions late Monday.
