Supreme Court to Hear Former FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter’s Case

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed, in a 6–3 vote, to hear the case brought by former Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter challenging her removal by President Donald Trump.

Key points:

• Slaughter and fellow Democrat Alvaro Bedoya were dismissed from their FTC commissioner posts in March. They contend the removals were illegal.
• Under the law protecting the FTC’s independence, commissioners may be removed early only for “good cause,” and the agency cannot have more than three commissioners from the same political party—limits that shaped the dispute over replacements.
• In July, U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan ruled in Slaughter’s favor; a federal appeals court reinstated her in September. The Supreme Court’s action means her firing may stand while the Court reviews the case.

This decision raises significant questions about the scope of presidential removal powers over independent agencies—an issue with implications for agency independence and separation of powers.

For more detailed coverage, see CNBC: Supreme Court agrees to hear case from former FTC commissioner challenging firing.

What are your thoughts on the balance between presidential authority and agency independence? Share your view below.