Trump Cleared to Dismiss FTC Commissioner: Supreme Court’s Landmark Decision Explained

The Supreme Court recently made a significant decision regarding the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the powers of the President. Chief Justice John Roberts announced that President Trump can fire FTC member Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, despite a law meant to limit presidential control over the agency.

This ruling pauses a previous judge’s decision that had reinstated Slaughter while the case unfolds. The court hasn’t made a final call yet, but it seems likely to support Trump’s request to have more authority over independent agency members.

In March, Trump dismissed two Democratic commissioners from the five-member FTC: Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya. While Slaughter is still listed as a commissioner on the FTC’s website, Bedoya has stepped back from the case.

These firings challenge a key 1935 Supreme Court ruling known as Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, which protected the FTC from political pressures by restricting the president’s power to fire its commissioners without cause. Under the 1914 law that created the FTC, members can only be removed for specific reasons, like inefficiency or misconduct.

Earlier this year, a federal judge sided with Slaughter, referencing that 1935 ruling. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia shared a similar view. However, the Supreme Court has been hesitant about independent federal agencies, leaning toward less protection in recent rulings.

Trump’s administration argues that these restrictions violate the president’s authority over the executive branch, as outlined in the Constitution. This year, Trump has also attempted to remove members of other independent agencies, actions the Supreme Court has permitted.

The FTC is composed of five members who serve seven-year terms, ensuring that no more than three are from the same political party. Slaughter and Bedoya were part of the Democratic minority, even though Bedoya was initially appointed by Trump in 2018.

This case touches on the balance of power in the government. As tensions between political parties and the roles of independent agencies continue to rise, decisions like this could shape how federal agencies function in the future. Keeping a watch on how this unfolds will be crucial for understanding the changing landscape of U.S. governance.

For more on the judicial framework concerning federal agencies, you can refer to the Federal Trade Commission’s official page.

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