Supreme Court Expands Presidential Power to Fire Agency Heads

The Supreme Court of the United States issued a series of landmark rulings on June 29, 2026, that significantly shifted the balance of power between the presidency and independent federal agencies. In a 6-3 decision in Trump v. Slaughter, the Court overturned the 91-year-old Humphrey's Executor precedent, ruling that presidents have the constitutional authority to fire leaders of independent regulatory agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), without cause. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that such protections are contrary to the separation of powers and that officials exercising executive power must be removable to ensure accountability.

This ruling validated Donald Trump's March 2025 firing of FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter. The decision effectively transforms commissioners at over two dozen agencies—including the National Labor Relations Board and the SEC—into at-will employees. Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, warning that the ruling grants the president power exceeding that of the English Crown and would lead to chaos.

However, the Court carved out a notable exception for the Federal Reserve. In a 5-4 ruling in Trump v. Cook, the Court blocked the president's attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Roberts noted the central bank's unique historical role in maintaining economic stability, ruling that the administration failed to provide Cook with necessary procedural due process regarding allegations of mortgage fraud. While Cook may remain in her post pending further litigation, the Court clarified that 'for cause' removals for serious misconduct remain possible if formal notice and response procedures are followed.

Other term-closing rulings included striking down a presidential executive order to end birthright citizenship and refusing to overturn a $5 million defamation judgment against Trump in the E. Jean Carroll case.