The Supreme Court ruled Monday that President Trump acted lawfully in firing former Federal Trade Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter without cause, finding that legal protections against such dismissals are unconstitutional. Chief Justice John Roberts authored the 6-3 opinion, overturning past precedent that restricted presidents' ability to remove certain government officials.
"Although it is up to the Senate to decide whether to confirm those with whom the President would prefer to work, neither Congress nor the courts may saddle him with those with whom he cannot work," Roberts wrote in the majority opinion. "Subordinates who exercise the President’s power are subject to removal by him. Then, and only then, can they remain accountable to the President, and the President to the people."
Trump had sought to remove Slaughter, who formerly served as an aide to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and fellow Democratic commissioner Alvaro Bedoya in March of last year. The White House stated their continued service was "inconsistent with [the] Administration’s priorities."
Slaughter had argued that her dismissal violated the Federal Trade Commission Act, which specifies that the president can only remove commissioners for "inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office." A federal judge in Washington and an appeals court panel had previously ruled that Slaughter was wrongly terminated, but the Supreme Court stayed those decisions in September 2025.
The Supreme Court's decision addresses a key separation of powers question, revisiting the precedent set by the 1935 ruling in Humphrey’s Executor v. United States. That earlier decision held that Congress could limit a president's power to fire government officials. Conservative legal analysts have criticized Humphrey’s Executor, arguing it infringes on the president's Article II powers and contributes to an unaccountable administrative state.
During oral arguments, Chief Justice Roberts had raised concerns about the applicability of the 1935 precedent to agencies with significant executive power. The court's ruling on Monday grants the president greater latitude in removing officials who exercise his authority, ensuring their direct accountability to him and, by extension, to the public.