The U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering a significant case that could alter the relationship between the executive branch and independent federal agencies. Central to this case is President Donald Trump’s dismissal of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) member Rebecca Slaughter in March 2025, which challenges the 1935 precedent set in Humphrey’s Executor v. United States. This ruling has historically granted certain federal agencies independence by restricting presidential powers to remove their members.
Trump justified Slaughter’s removal by stating it contradicted his administration’s priorities. This prompted legal disputes, with Slaughter and her advocates claiming that the dismissal breached the FTC Act, which allows presidential removal only for specified reasons like neglect or malfeasance. The implications of this case are substantial, as it could reshape the functions and authority of independent agencies.
During oral arguments, conservative justices appeared to support the president’s ability to dismiss Slaughter without cause. Chief Justice John Roberts questioned the relevance of the Humphrey’s Executor ruling, while Justice Neil Gorsuch expressed skepticism toward the notion of independent agencies operating without direct presidential supervision. In contrast, liberal justices warned that overturning this precedent could enhance presidential power, leading to a politicized environment in agencies meant to operate with nonpartisan expertise. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson articulated concerns about qualified officials being replaced by loyalists, undermining the integrity of independent agencies.
The Court’s ruling, expected by June 2026, will profoundly affect the autonomy of federal agencies such as the FTC and Federal Reserve, influencing the future of federal regulatory authority and the extent of presidential power over independent agency members.
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