POLITICS

Court considers presidential power to remove agency officials

PUBLISHED Dec 6, 2025, 8:41 AM ET

Read, Watch or Listen

Court considers presidential power to remove agency officials

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 14

Center 100%

Sources: 14

Washington, The Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in Trump v. Slaughter, testing whether presidents may remove Federal Trade Commission commissioners without cause and whether the court should overturn the 1935 Humphrey's Executor precedent. The government defended President Trump's March removal of FTC commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter; defenders of independent agencies argued removal protections preserve congressional design and insulation from political pressure. Conservative justices signaled openness to narrowing or discarding the precedent. The decision could affect multiple agencies and pending enforcement actions and could prompt administrative challenges. A ruling is expected after deliberation. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Emily Rhodes | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

1935 — Humphrey's Executor establishes removal protections for certain independent agencies.
2020 — Supreme Court decision limits removal protections for the CFPB, beginning precedent erosion.
March (recent year) — President Trump removed FTC commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and other agency members without cause.
Monday — Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Trump v. Slaughter over removal authority.
Post-argument — Court will deliberate and issue a decision that could change removal standards.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 14
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 14

Who Benefited

The Trump administration and allied conservative legal organizations stand to gain expanded authority over independent agencies if the Court narrows or overturns longstanding removal protections.

Who Impacted

Independent agencies, career civil servants, and consumers relying on insulated regulatory enforcement could face increased political influence and reduced institutional protections.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 14
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 14
Distribution:: Left 0%, Center 100%, Right 0%

Who Benefited

The Trump administration and allied conservative legal organizations stand to gain expanded authority over independent agencies if the Court narrows or overturns longstanding removal protections.

Who Impacted

Independent agencies, career civil servants, and consumers relying on insulated regulatory enforcement could face increased political influence and reduced institutional protections.