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June 29, 2026

Supreme Court Upholds Trump's Authority to Fire FTC Commissioner, Overturning 90-Year Precedent

  • The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that President Trump can fire Federal Trade Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter for policy reasons, overturning a 90-year precedent that protected independent agency leaders.
  • Chief Justice John Roberts stated that 'for cause' removal protections violate the separation of powers, granting future presidents greater control over independent agencies.
  • Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in dissent, warned that the ruling endorses 'total executive control' and undermines nearly a century of constitutional law.

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