Supreme Court Rulings Expand Presidential Control Over Independent Agencies

The Supreme Court's recent rulings and pending cases have significantly altered the balance of power between the White House and independent federal agencies. Through emergency orders, the court has allowed President Trump to remove officials from these agencies without cause.

In May 2025, the court approved the removal of members from the National Labor Relations Board and the Merit Systems Protection Board. These agencies were designed to operate independently of the president, with their leaders serving fixed terms and unable to be fired at will.

The case of Trump v. Slaughter is currently being deliberated by the Supreme Court. A full ruling is expected by mid-2026 and could have far-reaching implications for agencies like the SEC and CFTC, which are responsible for regulating cryptocurrencies.