The Rise of Far-right Ideology at the Supreme Court

WHO:

Alternet - The U.S. Supreme Court, President Trump, Rebecca Slaughter, Peter M. Shane, Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Justice Neil Gorsuch, David French.

GovExec.com - President Trump, Rebecca Slaughter, Alvaro Bedoya, Lisa Cook.

WHAT:

Alternet - The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Trump v. Slaughter that President Trump has considerable power to fire members of independent regulatory agencies.

Alternet - The ruling explicitly overruled the 1935 precedent set by Humphrey's Executor v. United States.

GovExec.com - Trump described the ruling as a “BIG WIN” and one of the most important decisions regarding presidential powers.

GovExec.com - The Court's decision in Trump v. Slaughter established that independent regulatory commissions are no longer truly independent.

GovExec.com - The Court also ruled in a separate case that Trump could not fire Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve due to lack of due process.

WHERE:

Alternet - The ruling was made by the U.S. Supreme Court.

GovExec.com - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Reserve are mentioned as the agencies involved.

WHEN:

Alternet - The ruling in Trump v. Slaughter was released on June 29.

GovExec.com - Trump attempted to fire Rebecca Slaughter in 2025.

WHY:

Alternet - The ruling is viewed as a triumph for the "unitary executive theory," which advocates for a powerful executive branch.

GovExec.com - The decision dismantles a long-standing tradition of independence for regulatory commissions, reflecting a shift in presidential power dynamics.

HOW:

Alternet - The Court's majority opinion, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, stated that the FTC "unquestionably exercises executive power" and must be controlled by the Chief Executive.

GovExec.com - The ruling allows the president to remove heads of independent agencies at will, marking a significant expansion of presidential authority.

(UPDATED July 2, 2026 04:25 UTC)

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled six to three in Trump v. Slaughter, affirming that President Trump possesses significant authority to fire members of independent regulatory agencies, a decision that overrules the 1935 precedent set by Humphrey's Executor v. United States. Trump hailed the ruling as a “BIG WIN,” emphasizing its importance in shaping presidential powers, while the Court's decision indicates that independent regulatory commissions are no longer truly independent. In a separate ruling, the Court determined that Trump could not fire Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve due to a lack of due process, highlighting the complexities of executive authority in these matters.