Appeals Court Blocks Trump, Reinstates FTC Commissioner
A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., blocked Trump and allowed Biden-appointed FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter to keep her post.The three-judge panel ruled 2-1 that Trump’s decision to fire her directly violated Supreme Court precedent.Judges emphasized that they must follow controlling rulings and cannot endorse presidential actions that disregard settled law. This order restores Slaughter’s position after she was abruptly dismissed following Trump’s assumption of office.
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Trump Administration Challenges the Ruling
Slaughter was first fired by Trump, later reinstated by Judge Loren AliKhan, then quickly fired again. On Tuesday, the panel lifted its pause on AliKhan’s decision, letting her immediately return to work. The Trump administration intends to appeal further, possibly before the full appellate bench or Supreme Court. Judge Neomi Rao, a Trump appointee, dissented, arguing Trump’s removals resembled firings previously allowed by the Court. Justice Department attorneys insisted reinstating Slaughter weakens presidential authority and harms the constitutional balance of power.
Broader Legal and Political Implications
The dispute centers on the 1935 Humphrey’s Executor ruling, which restricted presidents from removing FTC commissioners without cause. Legal experts believe today’s conservative-leaning Supreme Court may reconsider or even overturn that long-standing decision. The case raises sharper constitutional questions than earlier Trump firings at other independent agencies and boards. Slaughter pledged to fight until the end, celebrating the ruling and promising to resume work Wednesday. Meanwhile, Trump’s firing of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook has sparked another high-stakes constitutional challenge in court.
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