Supreme Court expands presidential power, shields Fed governor

The US Supreme Court dramatically expanded presidential power over independent agencies on Monday, upholding President Donald Trump's firing of FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter while blocking his attempt to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. The rulings overturn a 91-year-old precedent, Humphrey's Executor, but carve out a unique exception for the central bank.

What the court decided

In a 6-3 vote, the court ruled that Trump lawfully fired Slaughter, ending the long-standing protection that independent agency commissioners could only be removed for cause. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that 'subordinates who exercise the President's power are subject to removal by him' Source: NPR. However, in a separate 5-4 decision, the court blocked Trump's firing of Cook, citing the Fed's unique structure and long tradition of independence. Roberts noted that 'the Federal Reserve's Governors do not serve at the president's pleasure' Source: SCMP.

Reaction and implications

Trump celebrated the Slaughter ruling as a 'BIG WIN' and a 'Historic and Unprecedented Ruling' Source: AP News. Critics warn the decision removes a key check on executive power, with Justice Sotomayor dissenting that it 'gives the President a power unknown even to the English Crown' Source: The Guardian. Cook, who remains on the Fed board, said in a statement that the ruling 'affirmed the Federal Reserve's independence' Source: Fox Business.

• The Slaughter decision extends to agencies like the NLRB and CPSC, where Trump has already fired board members Source: AP News.
• The Fed's special status means future presidents may still face limits on removing central bank officials Source: NPR.