Donald J. Trump, President of the United States v. Rebecca Kelly Slaughter

The Supreme Court said the federal law that protects FTC commissioners from being fired except for cause violates the separation of powers. That removes the old legal barrier to a president firing an FTC commissioner without proving cause.

The ruling gives the White House more direct control over the FTC, which oversees competition and consumer protection. For example, an FTC commissioner who opposes a president's agenda no longer has the same statutory job protection.

The case now goes back to lower courts to carry out the Supreme Court's decision. The FTC, the White House, and affected commissioners must now operate under the new removal rule.

The Court said the FTC's for-cause firing protections are unconstitutional, so the President can remove commissioners without meeting that statutory standard.

FTC commissioners lose a key job protection, and the White House gains more control over the agency's leadership and policy direction.

The case goes back to lower courts to implement the ruling. The FTC and the President now must act under the new removal rule.