President Donald Trump asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Sept. 4, 2025, to permit him to remove Federal Trade Commission commissioner Rebecca Slaughter by staying her reinstatement while he appeals lower-court rulings that found her March firing unlawful.
Key Takeaways
- Trump sought a Supreme Court stay to block the reinstatement of FTC commissioner Rebecca Slaughter.
- Slaughter and fellow Democrat Alvaro Bedoya were removed by Trump in March; Bedoya later resigned.
- A D.C. federal judge and a U.S. Court of Appeals panel ruled the firing unlawful and held commissioners are removable only for cause.
- The appeals court decision was 2-1 and framed “cause” as neglect or malfeasance in office.
- The White House says the president acted lawfully and plans to continue the appeal.
- The case ties into a separate, ongoing fight over whether Trump can remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.
Verified Facts
In March 2025 President Trump removed two Democratic FTC commissioners, Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya. Bedoya resigned in June and dismissed his lawsuit. Slaughter sued to be reinstated, and a federal judge in Washington, D.C., ruled in July that her firing violated the law.
On Tuesday the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit affirmed the lower-court ruling in a 2-1 decision, concluding that FTC commissioners may only be removed for cause—historically defined to include neglect or malfeasance in office. The court found the government had a low likelihood of success on appeal.
After the appeals court ruling, Slaughter returned to her duties at the FTC. The administration then asked the Supreme Court to pause that reinstatement while it pursues further review.
Context & Impact
The dispute centers on the separation of powers and the statutory protections that govern independent agency officials. If the Supreme Court grants a stay and later upholds the administration’s view, it could weaken job protections for independent regulators and make it easier for presidents to reshape federal agencies.
Legal observers say the case could set a precedent affecting many agencies whose leaders serve staggered terms and enjoy partial insulation from removal. That includes potential ripple effects for enforcement priorities at the FTC on consumer protection and competition matters.
Related litigation includes President Trump’s effort to remove Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook over alleged mortgage fraud; that challenge is unresolved and may raise similar legal questions about what constitutes “cause” for removal.
The White House said President Trump acted lawfully when he removed Rebecca Slaughter from the FTC and expects to be vindicated on appeal.
Kush Desai, White House spokesman
Unconfirmed
- No official reason was provided by the president for Slaughter’s dismissal; any motive beyond the filed actions is unconfirmed.
- Allegations cited in the related Lisa Cook matter remain disputed and have not been proven in court.
Bottom Line
The Supreme Court will decide whether to pause Slaughter’s reinstatement while the administration appeals. A final ruling could redefine how freely presidents can remove independent agency officials and could reshape control over federal regulators.