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NewsNBC Los Angeles (KNBC) – PoliticsJune 29, 2026Los Angeles

Supreme Court Expands Presidential Power to Fire Agency Leaders

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 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 Federal Trade Commission, though the Court carved out an exception for the Federal Reserve.

Supreme CourtExecutive PowerFederal AgenciesFederal Trade CommissionConstitutional Law
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Why It Matters

This ruling changes the legal protections for commissioners at , allowing the President to remove them at will rather than only for specific misconduct, which impacts the independence of regulatory bodies.

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 applies to agencies including the National Labor Relations Board, the Merit Systems Protection Board, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
  • The Court created an exception for the Federal Reserve, ruling the President does not have the authority to remove Lisa Cook.
  • Previously, federal law stated commissioners could only be removed for 'inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office'.
  • Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that subordinates exercising presidential power are subject to removal by the President.
  • Justices Sotomayor, Jackson, and Kagan dissented, arguing the ruling defies the Constitution and historical political practice.

Who's Mentioned

personKetanji Brown Jackson“Dissenting Justice.”personDonald Trump“President who initiated the removals and praised the ruling.”personSonia Sotomayor“Justice who authored the dissenting opinion.”otherHumphrey's Executor“90-year-old legal precedent overturned by this ruling.”personD. John Sauer“Solicitor General who argued the case for the administration.”personJoe Biden“Former President mentioned in context of 2020 election.”personLisa Cook“Federal Reserve member whom the Court ruled could not be removed.”personJohn Roberts“Chief Justice who authored the majority opinion.”personRebecca Slaughter“Democratic FTC commissioner fired by the President.”organizationFederal Trade Commission“Independent agency affected by the ruling.”personElena Kagan“Dissenting Justice.”