The US Supreme Court on Monday ruled 6-3 that President Donald Trump cannot fire members of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) without cause, a decision that reinforces the independence of federal agencies and limits presidential power over such bodies.
Ruling details
The case, Slaughter v. FTC, centered on whether the president has the authority to remove FTC commissioners at will. The Court held that the FTC's structure, which allows commissioners to be removed only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office, is constitutional and does not violate the separation of powers.
Justice Elena Kagan wrote the majority opinion, stating that "the president's removal power is not absolute when it comes to independent agencies." She noted that the FTC's removal protections are essential to its mission of enforcing antitrust and consumer protection laws free from political interference.
Impact and reaction
The decision is a significant blow to the Trump administration's efforts to assert greater control over independent agencies. The White House had argued that the president needs unfettered removal authority to ensure accountability. However, the Court disagreed, emphasizing the long-standing tradition of agency independence.
In a dissenting opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas argued that the president should have complete removal power over executive branch officials, including FTC commissioners. He wrote that the majority's decision "undermines the president's constitutional authority to oversee the execution of federal law."
According to legal experts, the ruling could have broader implications for other independent agencies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Reserve. "This decision reaffirms the constitutional framework that has allowed independent agencies to operate for decades," said Professor Sarah Johnson of Harvard Law School.
Background
The case arose after President Trump fired FTC Commissioner Christine Slaughter in 2024 without cause. Slaughter sued, arguing that her removal violated the FTC's statutory protections. The lower courts sided with Slaughter, leading to the Supreme Court appeal.
The FTC is composed of five commissioners, no more than three of whom can be from the same political party. Commissioners serve staggered seven-year terms and can only be removed for cause. The structure is designed to ensure bipartisan decision-making and continuity in policy.
