The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Supreme Court Rules President Can Fire Federal Trade Commissioners at Will
Record date · June 29, 2026
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Does
The Supreme Court ruled that the President has the constitutional authority to remove Federal Trade Commission (FTC) commissioners at any time, overturning previous legal protections that limited removal to specific causes like neglect of duty. This decision invalidates the statutory requirement that FTC commissioners serve seven-year terms protected from presidential removal.
This ruling fundamentally changes the independence of the Federal Trade Commission by allowing the President to replace its leadership at will, directly impacting the agency's ability to maintain consistent regulatory enforcement across administrations.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Federal Trade Commission
The agency loses its statutory independence, as its commissioners are now subject to removal at the President's discretion.
Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya
These individuals were removed from their positions as commissioners by the President.
Key Facts
- The Supreme Court held that the FTC's 'for-cause' removal provision is unconstitutional.
- The President now has the authority to remove executive officers, including FTC commissioners, at will.
- The Court ruled that the 'Decision of 1789' and Article II of the Constitution establish that executive power is vested solely in the President, requiring subordinates to be removable by him.
- The ruling effectively overturns the precedent set in Humphrey’s Executor v. United States regarding the FTC's independence.
Show all 7 facts
- President Trump removed commissioners Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya in January 2025 without citing 'inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance'.
- The District Court had previously granted an injunction to restore Ms. Slaughter to her position, which the Supreme Court has now effectively reversed.
- The Court emphasized that the 'unity' of the Executive Branch is a safeguard against monarchical power, requiring a single person to hold ultimate authority over executive subordinates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the President still fire FTC commissioners?
Does this affect other independent agencies?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Judge reinstates Maurene Comey after ruling her firing unlawful
A federal judge ruled that the termination of former Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey violated civil service rules, the separation of powers, and due process rights. The court ordered her reinstated with back pay for the period from her July 2025 termination until December, when she took a job in the private sector. The Justice Department disagreed with the decision and announced plans to appeal.
Exclusive—Trump: SCOTUS Slaughter Decision 'More Than Made Up' for 'Disappointing' Birthright Citizenship Ruling
In an interview with Breitbart News, President Donald Trump expressed disappointment regarding a Supreme Court ruling on birthright citizenship while praising a separate decision in the case of Trump v. Slaughter. He stated that the Slaughter ruling, which affirms presidential authority to fire independent agency employees, offsets his dissatisfaction with the citizenship decision.
Bias ratings based on AllSides / Media Bias/Fact Check
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceFull breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
End of Independent Regulatory Commissions
The ruling signals a major shift toward centralized executive control, potentially ending the era of 'independent' agencies that were previously shielded from direct presidential removal.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.courtlistener.com
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance95How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy85Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment60Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz90Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools