Can President Trump Fire a Federal Trade Commissioner Without Cause?

In this episode, Thomas Berry of the Cato Institute and Jed Shugerman of the Boston University School of Law join the recap the oral arguments from Trump v. Slaughter and debate whether the statutory removal protections for members of the Federal Trade Commission violate the separation of powers. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.  

Resources 

• Thomas Berry, Brief of the Cato Institute as Amicus Curiae in Support of Petitioners (10/17/2025) 
• Jed Shugerman, Brief Amicus Curiae of Professor Jed Handelsman Shugerman in Support of Respondents (11/14/2025) 
• Jed Shugerman, “The Indecisions of 1789: Inconstant Originalism and Strategic Ambiguity” (2023) 
• Jane Manners and Lev Menand, “The Three Permissions: Presidential Removal and the Statutory Limits of Agency Independence” (2021) 
• Marbury v. Madison (1803) 
• Myers v. United States (1926) 
• Humphrey’s Executor v. United States (1935) 
• Morrison v. Olson (1988) 
• Seila Law LLC v. CFPB (2020)

Stay Connected and Learn More

• Questions or comments about the show? Email us at ⁠podcast@constitutioncenter.org⁠
• Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr
• Explore the ⁠America at 250 Civic Toolkit⁠
• Explore ⁠Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness⁠
• ⁠Sign up⁠ to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate
• Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen
• Join us for an upcoming ⁠live program⁠ or watch recordings on ⁠YouTube⁠
• Support our important work:  

⁠⁠⁠Donate