The 6-3 ruling could sharpen presidential influence over regulators as the SEC and CFTC advance crypto-asset rules, raising concerns about weaker internal checks and easier policy reversals.
The US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Donald Trump can remove leaders of multiple independent federal agencies, including the FTC, while excluding the Federal Reserve from that authority. The decision strengthens presidential control over regulators at a time when the SEC and CFTC (U.S. derivatives regulator) are advancing new crypto-asset rules. The SEC is led by three Republican commissioners, while only CFTC Chair Michael Selig is serving. Former CFTC officials and industry participants said a smaller number of commissioners could weaken internal checks and make rules easier for future administrations to rewrite or repeal. Even so, those rules remain legally valid if they comply with authorizing statutes and the Administrative Procedure Act (U.S. rulemaking law).