Outcry over supreme court decision to grant Trump power to fire agency chiefs | US supreme court
US politics | The Guardian — 2026-06-29 12:13:00 — www.theguardian.com
Donald Trump Hails Supreme Court Ruling Expanding Presidential Power to Fire Independent Agency Leaders
Donald Trump celebrated a landmark Supreme Court decision that grants presidents sweeping authority to fire leaders of independent federal agencies, calling it a “big win” on Truth Social. The ruling in Trump v Slaughter overturns nearly 90 years of precedent that had limited executive power, and it has sparked widespread concern among labor advocates, unions, and consumer groups about the future of American democracy.
Trump’s Record of Firings
During his second presidential term, Trump exercised his authority by firing several leaders of independent agencies. Those dismissed included National Labor Relations Board member Gwynne Wilcox, the first Black woman to serve on the board; Susan Tsui Grundmann of the Federal Labor Relations Authority; Erika McEntarfer, commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics; and Deirdre Hamilton of the National Mediation Board. The firing of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) commissioner Rebecca Slaughter in March last year was the catalyst for the Supreme Court case. Slaughter stated she was fired “because I have a voice. And he [Trump] is afraid of what I’ll tell the American people.” Trump also removed another Democratic FTC commissioner, Alvaro Bedoya, without providing specific cause beyond stating their “continued service on the FTC is inconsistent with [the Trump] administration’s priorities.”
Impact of the Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court’s decision overturns the 1935 Humphrey’s Executor ruling, which had protected independent agency staff from presidential removal without cause. Critics argue that this new precedent effectively prioritizes the president’s political preferences over the independence and integrity of federal agencies. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in her dissent, described the decision as “egregiously wrong,” warning that it “promises to unleash only chaos” and gives the president “far greater power than ever before.”
Concerns Over Authoritarianism and Corruption
Legal experts and advocacy groups warn that the ruling erodes essential guardrails against corruption and political interference. Rachel Rossi of Alliance for Justice called it a move that hands the president “the keys to be even more authoritarian,” while Michael Sozan of the Center for American Progress said it puts “millions of Americans at risk” by allowing undue political pressure over agencies designed to be insulated from such coercion.
Conclusion
Trump’s celebration of the Supreme Court’s decision underscores his support for expanded executive power and his willingness to remove agency leaders whose priorities differ from his own. As critics warn of the long-term consequences for democracy and government integrity, the ruling marks a significant shift in the balance of power in Washington, with implications that will extend far beyond Trump’s tenure.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/29/supreme-court-trump-agency-firings-slaughter-ftc