Supreme Court Empowers Trump in FTC and ICE Decisions

2025-09-09 politics

Washington, D.C., Monday, 8 September 2025.
The Supreme Court’s recent ruling allows Trump to temporarily remove a Democratic FTC commissioner and continue ICE patrols in California, impacting regulatory and immigration policies.

Supreme Court’s Decision on FTC Commissioner

On September 8, 2025, Chief Justice John Roberts permitted former President Donald Trump to temporarily remove FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter. This decision comes after an appeals court had ruled in favor of Slaughter, stating her removal by Trump was ‘without cause’ and violated statutory protections for independent agencies [1][2]. Slaughter, originally appointed by Trump in 2018 and reappointed by President Biden, has expressed her intention to contest the ruling [1][3][4].

Implications for the FTC and Executive Power

The ruling underscores the Supreme Court’s alignment with Trump’s administration in enhancing presidential control over independent agencies. This follows a broader trend where the Court has supported the administration’s efforts to consolidate executive power [1][5][6]. The administration argues that the modern FTC wields significant executive authority, thus justifying the president’s ability to make at-will removals [4][6].

ICE ‘Roving’ Patrols in California

In a parallel decision, the Supreme Court has lifted restrictions on ‘roving’ ICE patrols in Los Angeles. This decision overturns a previous court order that found such operations relied on impermissible factors like race and language, potentially leading to racial profiling [7]. The ruling is part of Trump’s broader immigration enforcement strategy, which has faced criticism from civil rights advocates and dissent from liberal justices on the court [7][8].

These Supreme Court decisions are poised to shape the political and social landscape significantly. The ability to remove FTC commissioners at will could alter the regulatory environment, affecting sectors reliant on trade and consumer protection policies. Simultaneously, the authorization of heightened ICE patrols raises concerns about civil liberties and community impacts, particularly in states like California with large immigrant populations [2][8].

Sources

Supreme Court Trump administration