Story perspectives

Supreme Court Lets Trump Fire Agency Heads, Saves Citizenship

7/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that U.S. President Donald Trump may dismiss heads of agencies, overturning a 91-year precedent.
The Court preserved birthright citizenship.
Speaker Mike Johnson said any change would require a constitutional amendment.
Political scientists note Congress is unlikely to pass legislation responding to these decisions because of deep partisan polarization.
Former EEOC commissioner Jocelyn Samuels dismissed her lawsuit after the removal-power ruling left no viable legal path.

History

Historical Context

In 1935 the Hughes Court upheld Congress’s power to protect Federal Trade Commission commissioners from at-will removal in Humphrey’s Executor, a decision rooted in Roosevelt’s New Deal clash over agency independence. On June 29 2026 the Court issued a 6-3 ruling in Trump v. Slaughter that reversed the 91-year precedent, granting the president authority to fire independent-agency heads.

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Story summary

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that U.S. President Donald Trump may dismiss heads of agencies, overturning a 91-year precedent.
The Court preserved birthright citizenship.
Speaker Mike Johnson said any change would require a constitutional amendment.
Political scientists note Congress is unlikely to pass legislation responding to these decisions because of deep partisan polarization.
Former EEOC commissioner Jocelyn Samuels dismissed her lawsuit after the removal-power ruling left no viable legal path.

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