Supreme Court grants Trump power to fire heads of independent agencies | PiQ Markets
3 storiesUS Politics & PolicyWhite House & presidential decisions / executive ordersUS Congress: House of Representatives & SenateDonald Trump policies & legal proceedings
Supreme Court grants Trump power to fire heads of independent agencies
window 24h
IN SHORT
The Supreme Court has issued a significant ruling on presidential power, allowing President Donald Trump to fire heads of independent agencies, overturning 90 years of precedent. This decision, stemming from the firing of FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, grants broader executive authority. However, in a separate case, the Court blocked Trump's attempt to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, citing due process concerns. The Court is also nearing the end of its term with other key cases on presidential power, including one on birthright citizenship, still pending.
✉Newsletter
PiQ Daily
Pick your topics. Get only what matters, on your cadence.
Key Numbers
6-3Supreme Court vote on agency heads
90 yearsprecedent overturned on agency heads
Who's Involved
Donald Trump
U.S. President
Supreme Court
U.S. judicial body issuing rulings on presidential power
Rebecca Slaughter
FTC Commissioner involved in agency head firing case
Lisa Cook
Federal Reserve Governor blocked from removal
advocacy groups
organizations criticizing the ruling on agency heads
Key facts
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that President Donald Trump can fire leaders of independent agencies.
The ruling overturns 90 years of precedent regarding presidential power over independent agencies.
The decision stems from the firing of FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter.
Advocacy groups have criticized the ruling on independent agency heads.
The Supreme Court blocked President Trump's attempt to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.
The Court cited a lack of due process in blocking Cook's removal.
The decision limits presidential power over the central bank.
The Supreme Court is nearing the end of its term.
Other key cases concerning presidential power, including one on birthright citizenship, are pending.
President Trump addressed the nation on military actions in Iran.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled 6-3 that President Donald Trump can fire leaders of independent agencies, a decision that overturns 90 years of precedent and significantly expands executive authority. This ruling originated from the case involving Trump's dismissal of FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter and has garnered criticism from various advocacy groups concerned about the independence of these agencies.
In a contrasting development, the Supreme Court has blocked President Trump's attempt to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. The Court cited a lack of due process in Trump's action, thereby limiting presidential power over the central bank and allowing Cook to continue her term. These decisions come as the Supreme Court approaches the end of its term, with several other significant cases related to presidential power still awaiting resolution. Among these pending cases is one concerning Donald Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship.
These rulings collectively shape the landscape of presidential power, with one decision expanding it in the context of independent agencies and another curtailing it concerning the Federal Reserve. The ongoing deliberations on birthright citizenship further highlight the Court's focus on executive authority during this term.
↳ Why This Matters
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled 6-3 that President Donald Trump can fire leaders of independent agencies, a decision that overturns 90 years of precedent and significantly expands executive authority. This ruling originated from the case involving Trump's dismissal of FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter and has garnered criticism from various advocacy groups concerned about the independence of these agencies.
Frequently asked questions
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that President Donald Trump can fire leaders of independent agencies, overturning a 90-year-old precedent.
The decision overturns Humphrey's Executor, a 1935 ruling that limited the president's power to remove officials from independent agencies except in cases of neglect of duty or malfeasance.
Rebecca Slaughter, an FTC Commissioner, stated she was fired because she had a voice and President Trump was afraid of what she would tell the American people.
The decision gives President Donald Trump greater control over federal crypto regulators like the SEC and CFTC, potentially complicating negotiations over the Clarity Act.
What Happens Next
01Future presidents will have greater control over independent agencies.
02The long-term consequences of this ruling on government functioning will unfold.
03The Clarity Act faces a climactic do-or-die push before early August.
Get the newsletter.
Pick the topics you actually care about. We'll email when there's news worth your time, on the cadence you choose. Cancel any time from your account.