Day 526
June 29, 2026
4 incidents
- Major Abuse of Power Civil Rights
Trump v. Slaughter decided
The Supreme Court rules 6-3 that for-cause removal protections for FTC commissioners are unconstitutional, overturning Humphrey's Executor.
- Major Abuse of Power Rule of Law
Supreme Court Overturns Humphrey's Executor, Lets Trump Fire FTC Commissioner — But Blocks Fed Governor Firing (June 2026)
On June 29, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Trump v. Slaughter that for-cause removal protections for FTC commissioners violate separation of powers, upholding Trump's 2025 firing of Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter and overturning the roughly 90-year-old Humphrey's Executor precedent — a ruling that strips independence from agencies structured like the FTC, potentially including the NLRB and MSPB. In a companion ruling issued the same day (Trump v. Cook, 5-4), the Court separately held that Trump lacks authority to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook while her lawsuit proceeds, leaving the question of Fed removal power formally unresolved for now. Cook had been targeted based on a mortgage-fraud accusation from a Trump-appointed official that she says was pretextual retaliation for resisting political pressure on interest-rate policy.
- Major Abuse of Power Civil Rights
Supreme Court overrules Humphrey's Executor in Trump v. Slaughter
In Trump v. Slaughter (No. 25-332), the Supreme Court holds 6-3 that the president may remove independent-agency heads at will, overruling Humphrey's Executor. The ruling validates removals such as Wilcox's as a matter of domestic law.
- Pre-Office Conduct Civil Rights
Supreme Court declines to review the $5 million verdict
The Supreme Court declines Trump's petition to review the $5 million sexual-abuse and defamation verdict, and denies rehearing on August 17, 2026. A separate petition on the $83.3 million award, joined by the Justice Department, is filed in July 2026.
From: E. Jean Carroll: Jury Finds Sexual Abuse and Defamation; $83.3 Million Damages