Story perspectives

Court Lets Trump Fire FTC, Bars Fed Governor Dismissal

6/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Court's 6-3 ruling overturns Humphrey’s Executor, letting President Donald Trump fire Federal Trade Commission (FTC) commissioner Rebecca Slaughter and heads.
5-4 decision blocks President Donald Trump’s attempt to dismiss Fed Governor Lisa Cook; John Roberts said she lacked required notice and the Fed warrants a threshold.
Donald Trump hailed the FTC ruling as a victory, while Lisa Cook said it protects Fed ability to set policy free from pressure.

History

Historical Context

Starting with the 1935 Humphrey’s Executor decision, the Court let Congress protect FTC commissioners from at-will removal. The 1988 Morrison v. Olson case extended that shield to independent counsels, upholding for-cause limits. Later rulings—Free Enterprise Fund (2010), Seila Law (2020) and Collins v. Yellen (2021)—narrowed insulation, while the 2025 Trump v. Cook and 2026 Trump v. Slaughter cases revive the presidential removal debate.

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Story summary

The Court's 6-3 ruling overturns Humphrey’s Executor, letting President Donald Trump fire Federal Trade Commission (FTC) commissioner Rebecca Slaughter and heads.
5-4 decision blocks President Donald Trump’s attempt to dismiss Fed Governor Lisa Cook; John Roberts said she lacked required notice and the Fed warrants a threshold.
Donald Trump hailed the FTC ruling as a victory, while Lisa Cook said it protects Fed ability to set policy free from pressure.

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