Story perspectives

Trump Administration Pushes Supreme Court to Oust FTC Commissioner

9/5/2025

Summary

Story summary

The Trump administration seeks Supreme Court approval to remove FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, despite her recent reinstatement by a D.C. Circuit Court.
The court ruled that commissioners can only be dismissed for cause, citing a 1935 Supreme Court precedent.
Slaughter intends to complete her term, which lasts until 2029.
This case highlights tensions regarding presidential authority over independent regulatory agencies.
The Trump administration contends that the FTC's modern powers warrant the ability to remove commissioners freely.

History

Historical Context

The 1935 Supreme Court ruling in Humphrey's Executor v. United States established that independent regulatory commissioners could only be dismissed for cause, reinforcing agency autonomy against presidential overreach. This precedent is now challenged by President Trump's 2025 dismissal of FTC Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Slaughter, raising critical questions about executive power and regulatory independence that could reshape governance through 2029 and beyond.

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Story summary

The Trump administration seeks Supreme Court approval to remove FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, despite her recent reinstatement by a D.C. Circuit Court.
The court ruled that commissioners can only be dismissed for cause, citing a 1935 Supreme Court precedent.
Slaughter intends to complete her term, which lasts until 2029.
This case highlights tensions regarding presidential authority over independent regulatory agencies.
The Trump administration contends that the FTC's modern powers warrant the ability to remove commissioners freely.

1 / 2