Archive · 11 Dec 2025
Supreme Court May Expand Trump's Power Over Agencies
The Supreme Court is deciding a case that could give the president, Donald Trump, more power to fire people who work at independent agencies like the FTC.
These agencies usually make decisions without the president's control, but if the court changes a long-standing rule, the president could have more say.
This could make big business deals, like Netflix buying Warner Bros Discovery, more political.
Some people worry this could lead to corruption and make businesses try to please the president instead of following the rules.
The court's decision could also affect many other independent agencies and civil servants.
The Supreme Court is considering overturning the Humphrey’s Executor precedent, which limits the president's ability to fire independent agency heads.
Donald Trump has already fired several agency heads, acting as if the precedent does not exist.
If the precedent is overturned, the president could have more control over agencies like the FTC, making regulatory decisions more political.
Big business deals, such as Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, could be influenced by the president's preferences.
Critics warn that this could lead to corruption and undermine the independence of regulatory agencies.
- Who
- Donald Trump, Supreme Court, FTC, Netflix, Paramount Skydance
- What
- Potential overturning of Humphrey’s Executor precedent, giving the president more power to fire agency heads
- When
- Supreme Court heard arguments on December 8th, 2023
- Where
- United States, Supreme Court
- Why
- To determine the president's power to fire independent agency heads and its impact on regulatory decisions
- Case
- Trump v Slaughter
- Agency
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- Precedent
- Humphrey’s Executor (1935)
- Deal 1
- Netflix acquiring Warner Bros Discovery ($83bn)
- Deal 2
- Paramount Skydance's hostile bid for Warner Bros Discovery ($108bn)
- Key Figure
- Rebecca Slaughter (FTC commissioner)
- Legal Theory
- Unitary Executive Theory
- Constitutional Article
- Article II