"Critics say the ruling could be used to target FERC and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission."
"A nearly century-old precedent that has been in conservatives’ cross-hairs for years met its demise Monday, when the Supreme Court ruled to limit the independence of agencies like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
In a 6-3 decision, the justices found that heads of multimember agencies could be dismissed by presidential discretion, without citing a particular “cause.” The case centered on President Donald Trump’s decision last year to remove Rebecca Slaughter, a Democratic nominee from her position on the Federal Trade Commission.
The highly anticipated ruling in Trump v. Slaughter reversed the court’s 1935 decision in Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, which restricted the president’s power to dismiss heads of multimember agencies like FERC except for “inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.”
The ruling delivers more power to the executive branch, potentially giving Trump — and his successors — the authority to fire members of agencies that regulate the transmission of electricity, gas, oil and nuclear power."
Lesley Clark, Kinnia Cheuk, and Niina H. Farah report for E&E News June 29, 2026.
SEE ALSO:
"Expanded Presidential Firing Power Destabilizes Regulatory State" (Bloomberg Environment)
