In a significant ruling handed down Monday, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. granted a temporary reprieve to former President Donald Trump, allowing him to maintain the dismissal of Democratic Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter. This decision comes on the heels of an appeals court ruling that reinstated Slaughter, citing the lack of "cause" for her removal. The Supreme Court will now consider whether to hear the case, ultimately determining the legality of Trump's action.
The appeals court's decision had previously overturned Slaughter's dismissal, arguing that the president's power to remove FTC commissioners is limited and requires a showing of justifiable cause. This legal challenge questioned the extent of presidential authority over independent regulatory agencies, a key area of constitutional debate. Chief Justice Roberts' order, however, temporarily suspends the appeals court's ruling, allowing Slaughter's dismissal to remain in effect pending the Supreme Court's review of the case.
This temporary stay maintains the status quo while the Supreme Court weighs the larger constitutional question of presidential power over independent agencies. The high court's eventual decision will set a crucial precedent, influencing the balance of power between the executive branch and independent regulatory bodies for years to come. The outcome has significant implications not just for the FTC, but for the broader governance of numerous independent agencies critical to the American regulatory landscape. The Supreme Court's deliberation will closely scrutinize the appropriate checks and balances within the system.
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Originally published at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/09/08/trade-commission-trump-firings-supreme-court/
