We the People

Can President Trump Fire a Federal Trade Commissioner Without Cause?

Listen Later

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 ⁠[email protected]⁠
    • 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

      ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store
      We the PeopleBy National Constitution Center
      • 4.6
      • 4.6
      • 4.6
      • 4.6
      • 4.6

      4.6

      1,076 ratings

      More shows like We the People

      View all
      The New Yorker Radio Hour by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker

      The New Yorker Radio Hour

      6,828 Listeners

      The Political Scene | The New Yorker by The New Yorker

      The Political Scene | The New Yorker

      4,056 Listeners

      Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts by Slate Podcasts

      Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts

      3,531 Listeners

      U.S. Supreme Court Oral Arguments by Oyez

      U.S. Supreme Court Oral Arguments

      676 Listeners

      Conversations with Bill Kristol by Bill Kristol

      Conversations with Bill Kristol

      2,008 Listeners

      Live at the National Constitution Center by National Constitution Center

      Live at the National Constitution Center

      149 Listeners

      The Lawfare Podcast by The Lawfare Institute

      The Lawfare Podcast

      6,302 Listeners

      Stay Tuned with Preet by Preet Bharara

      Stay Tuned with Preet

      32,334 Listeners

      Interesting Times with Ross Douthat by New York Times Opinion

      Interesting Times with Ross Douthat

      7,226 Listeners

      Strict Scrutiny by Crooked Media

      Strict Scrutiny

      5,822 Listeners

      Advisory Opinions by The Dispatch

      Advisory Opinions

      3,899 Listeners

      The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

      The Ezra Klein Show

      15,955 Listeners

      Amarica's Constitution by Akhil Reed Amar

      Amarica's Constitution

      397 Listeners

      Divided Argument by Will Baude, Dan Epps

      Divided Argument

      744 Listeners

      Supreme Court Oral Arguments by scotusstats.com

      Supreme Court Oral Arguments

      36 Listeners