Supreme Court Grants President Authority to Fire Independent Agency Members

On May 22, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Donald J. Trump v. United States that the President can fire members of “independent” federal agencies, such as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

The decision, detailed in the Court’s opinion (No. 24-10566), overturns prior restrictions like those in Humphrey’s Executor (1935), affirming the President’s Article II authority over the Executive Branch.

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This ruling aligns with precedents such as Seila Law LLC v. CFPB (2020), which limited agency independence. The Court emphasized that unelected bureaucrats should not obstruct elected leadership, addressing issues like the NLRB’s 9,300 backlogged labor cases under Biden appointees, as noted in federal data.

Supporters hailed the decision as a victory for constitutional accountability, empowering President Trump to realign agencies with his America First agenda.