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NewsNBC 6 South Florida (WTVJ) – PoliticsJune 29, 2026Miami-Dade County

Supreme Court Expands Presidential Power to Fire Agency Leaders

The Supreme Court ruled that the President has the authority to fire members of independent federal agencies without cause, overturning a 90-year-old legal precedent. This decision grants the President greater control over agencies like the FTC, though it excludes the Federal Reserve.

Supreme CourtPresidential PowerFederal AgenciesFtcExecutive Branch
Read the full story at NBC 6 South Florida (WTVJ) – Politics

Why It Matters

This ruling changes the legal protections for commissioners at , allowing the President to remove them for political reasons rather than only for misconduct or neglect of duty.

Key Facts

  • The Supreme Court voted 6-3 to allow the President to fire members of independent federal agencies without cause.
  • The ruling overturns the 90-year-old precedent set by 'Humphrey’s Executor'.
  • The decision specifically upholds the firing of FTC commissioner Rebecca Slaughter.
  • The ruling establishes that subordinates exercising presidential power are subject to removal by the President.
  • The Federal Reserve is explicitly carved out as an exception, meaning the President does not have the authority to remove Lisa Cook.
  • The logic of the ruling extends to other agencies including the National Labor Relations Board, the Merit Systems Protection Board, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
  • Justices Sotomayor, Jackson, and Kagan dissented, arguing the ruling defies the Constitution and historical political practice.
  • Previous federal law only allowed for the removal of commissioners for 'inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office'.

Who's Mentioned

PersonLisa Cook“Federal Reserve member exempted from the ruling.”other90“Age of the precedent overturned.”PersonD. John Sauer“Solicitor General who argued the case.”PersonRebecca Slaughter“FTC commissioner fired by the President.”otherHumphrey’s Executor“90-year-old legal precedent overturned by this ruling.”OrganizationFederal Trade Commission“Independent agency affected by the ruling.”PersonElena Kagan“Dissenting Justice.”PersonSonia Sotomayor“Justice who wrote the dissenting opinion.”PersonDonald Trump“President who initiated the removals and praised the ruling.”PersonJohn Roberts“Chief Justice who wrote the majority opinion.”PersonKetanji Brown Jackson“Dissenting Justice.”