Reversal: Supreme Court Expands Trump's Powers

On June 29, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision that President Donald Trump can remove heads of independent agencies without cause, overturning a 91-year-old precedent. This ruling significantly expands presidential authority over various independent boards and commissions.

The justices affirmed Trump's power to fire officials from approximately two dozen multi-member agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), while explicitly maintaining the independence of the Federal Reserve.

This decision allows the president greater control over regulatory agencies that Congress had previously insulated from political influence, marking a substantial shift in the balance of power between the executive and independent regulatory bodies.

The ruling reverses a 1935 precedent that restricted presidential removal powers, which had been seen as a safeguard against political interference in independent agencies.

While the court's decision broadly enhances presidential authority, it does not extend to the Federal Reserve, which remains protected from such dismissals.

AI-synthesized from multiple reported sources