Supreme Court rules 6-3 President can remove SEC and CFTC commissioners at will

The decision overturns a 91-year-old precedent and, legal experts say, strips the SEC and CFTC of their longstanding independence.

Summary

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the President can remove independent agency commissioners at will, overturning a 91-year-old precedent. Legal experts say the decision strips the SEC and CFTC (U.S. securities and derivatives regulators) of their longstanding independence, a shift that could reshape how the two market watchdogs operate under presidential control.

Terms & Concepts
  • CFTC: U.S. derivatives regulator.
  • SEC: U.S. securities regulator.
  • independent agency commissioners: Officials meant to operate with some insulation from direct presidential removal.