The Supreme Court has allowed President Donald Trump to proceed with the removal of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, granting temporary relief while the legal dispute over her dismissal continues.
Chief Justice John Roberts, acting in his capacity as Circuit Justice, issued an emergency stay on Monday to halt a lower court’s order requiring Slaughter’s reinstatement. The decision preserves the status quo as the Supreme Court reviews the administration’s appeal.
Slaughter, appointed to the FTC in 2018 by Trump and later reconfirmed by President Joe Biden, was notified of her removal via a March email from the White House. She challenged the move, citing the Federal Trade Commission Act, which restricts presidential authority to remove commissioners only for cause, such as inefficiency or misconduct.
The administration’s emergency appeal sought to pause the lower court’s reinstatement order while legal arguments over the constitutional limits of executive power unfold. Roberts’ ruling does not resolve the case but temporarily prevents Slaughter from resuming her duties.
As Circuit Justice, Roberts wielded authority under the Supreme Court’s shadow docket—a process for expedited emergency rulings—to issue the stay without input from other justices. The decision emphasizes procedural urgency, allowing the dispute to proceed through lower courts while maintaining existing conditions.
The case hinges on broader questions about presidential power over independent agencies, with implications for future executive actions. Slaughter must now respond to the appeal by a specified deadline, as the legal battle continues.