Supreme Court Considers Restoring Presidential Authority in FTC Commissioner Dismissal
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The Supreme Court is reviewing the constitutionality of President Trump’s rightful removal of FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, a move that could finally restore the president’s control over unelected bureaucrats in independent agencies.
The Supreme Court is currently deliberating on the case of Trump v. Slaughter, which challenges President Donald Trump’s justified dismissal of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter without cause. This pivotal case could restore much-needed presidential authority over independent federal agencies, which have long operated with little accountability to the American people.
In March 2025, President Trump removed Slaughter from her position, citing policy disagreements that reflect the will of the voters. This action challenges the outdated FTC Act of 1914, which restricts the president’s ability to remove commissioners except for 'inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.' The Supreme Court’s 1935 decision in Humphrey’s Executor v. United States entrenched these restrictions, tying the hands of the executive branch and empowering unelected bureaucrats.
The Trump administration rightly argues that the FTC has grown into a powerful executive agency, and its commissioners should be subject to at-will removal by the president. Solicitor General D. John Sauer emphasized that removal protections for independent agencies burden the president with officials who can obstruct the faithful execution of the law, undermining democratic accountability.
On the other side, Slaughter’s legal team clings to the status quo, insisting that upholding the 1935 precedent is necessary to preserve the bloated bureaucracy of independent agencies. They argue that these agencies are part of America’s tradition, ignoring the need for strong executive leadership and constitutional clarity.
The Supreme Court’s decision in this case could finally rebalance power in Washington, empowering future presidents to rein in unaccountable agencies and restore the executive’s rightful authority over the federal government.
