This Monday (June 29, 2026), the Supreme Court expanded the power of the president (Republican Party) by authorizing the dismissal of directors of independent regulatory agencies. The decision, approved by 6 votes to 3, strengthens the White House’s control over federal agencies and could change the traditional operating structure of these institutions. The information was released by .
The ministers, however, made a reservation regarding the Fed (Federal Reserve, the US central bank) and reaffirmed the institution’s autonomy. In a separate decision, the Court indicated that central bank directors cannot be removed arbitrarily.
The judgment represents a change in the relationship between Congress and the Presidency, by expanding the Executive’s influence over structures created to act with greater political independence.
THE CASES ANALYZED
The ministers took two actions related to the Trump administration’s attempt to remove members of federal agencies.
One of them involved Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, a Democratic member of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). In this case, the majority of ministers considered the possibility of his dismissal valid.
By deciding on the legality of the measure, the Court weakened historical limitations on presidential power over directors of independent agencies and expanded the Executive’s scope of action over these bodies.
The 2nd case involved Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserve board. The Trump administration tried to remove her on the grounds of mortgage fraud.
By a vote of 5 to 4, the justices ruled that Cook could not be removed before she had the opportunity to respond to the allegations. According to the Court, she should have access to the allegations presented by the government and the opportunity to defend herself.
AFFECTED AGENCIES
The decision could have an impact on several independent bodies of the American government.
Among the institutions potentially affected are the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission), the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission), the NLRB (National Labor Relations Board), the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) and the US Postal Service.
With the decision, presidents now have greater freedom to replace directors of these institutions, reducing legal protections that have been in force for decades.
TRUMP REACTION
After the trial, Trump made the decision and stated that the measure represents a historic expansion of presidential powers.
“The Slaughter case represents the greatest increase in presidential power in the last 100 years. A monumental decision at such an important time”the president wrote on social media.
DIVERGENT VOTES
In the case involving the FTC, Minister Sonia Sotomayor stated, in a dissenting vote, that the majority decision could weaken the independence of federal agencies and change consolidated institutional practices.
In the case related to the Federal Reserve, Minister Amy Coney Barrett stated that the court adopted a broader position than would be necessary to resolve the issue analyzed.
OTHER DECISIONS
The Supreme Court also upheld a Mississippi law that authorizes the counting of mail-in ballots after the election deadline and ruled that law enforcement authorities must follow constitutional limits in obtaining location data from cellphones near crime scenes.
The court must also analyze issues such as the attempt to restrict citizenship by birth, rules for the participation of transgender athletes in women’s competitions and limits on coordinated spending between political parties and candidates.
