The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that the president can fire the heads of independent agencies, overturning a precedent held for 90 years [2].
This decision alters the balance of power between the executive branch and independent regulators. By removing protections for agency commissioners, the ruling allows the president to exert more direct control over federal oversight bodies that previously operated with autonomy.
The Court issued two major rulings on June 29, 2026 [4]. The justices concluded that Congress does not have the authority to protect independent agency commissioners from removal by the president [1]. This decision overturns the legal precedent established by Humphrey's Executor v. United States [1].
While the ruling expands executive authority over many agencies, the Court limited the scope regarding the Federal Reserve. The decision preserves certain limits on the removal of Federal Reserve officials [4].
The ruling comes as the Court worked to finalize its term. Earlier this month, the Court was attempting to complete nearly two dozen pending opinions before the end of June [5].
The expansion of power allows President Donald Trump to replace leadership at agencies that were designed to be insulated from political influence [1]. This shift changes how federal regulations are implemented, and enforced across various sectors of the U.S. government.
“The Court ruled that the President can fire heads of independent agencies, overturning a 90-year precedent.”
This ruling dismantles a long-standing legal shield that ensured independent agencies could execute their duties without fear of political retaliation. By overturning Humphrey's Executor, the Court has shifted the U.S. toward a more unitary executive model, where the president has direct command over the administrative state, though the continued protection of the Federal Reserve suggests a desire to maintain stability in monetary policy.
