On June 29, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision that President Donald Trump has the authority to fire members of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), overturning a federal law that restricted such actions to cases of inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance. The court's decision invalidated a 91-year-old precedent from the case of Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, which had upheld the law. Chief Justice John Roberts stated that the President must have the ability to appoint and remove officers he can trust to ensure accountability. In dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor argued that the ruling undermines the constitutional structure of government by granting the President excessive power. The FTC, established over a century ago, consists of five commissioners, with appointments made by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The ruling allows Trump to fire FTC commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, who had previously challenged her dismissal in federal court. The court's ruling did not address all questions regarding the extent of presidential authority over independent agencies.
✓ No loaded language, vague sourcing, or framing detected.
Supreme Court Rules on Presidential Authority Over FTC Commissioner
The Supreme Court ruled on June 29, 2026, that President Donald Trump can fire members of the Federal Trade Commission, overturning a law that limited this power. The decision, which was split 6-3, also invalidated a long-standing precedent regarding presidential authority over independent agencies. Chief Justice Roberts emphasized the need for the President to have control over executive officers, while dissenting justices raised concerns about the implications for the separation of powers.
No note attached
on this article.
Original vs. Neutral
Supreme Court allows Trump to fire FTC commissioner and overturns major restraint on presidential power
Supreme Court Rules on Presidential Authority Over FTC Commissioner