The US Supreme Court ruled on Monday that President Donald Trump and all future presidents have the power to fire leaders of independent agencies or commissions, overturning 90 years of court precedent that had curbed executive authority. The decision in Trump v. Slaughter was celebrated by Trump on Truth Social as a “big win,” but drew sharp criticism from labor advocates, unions, and consumer advocacy groups who warned of long-term damage to U.S. democracy.
Reaction to the ruling
Rebecca Slaughter, the federal trade commissioner fired last March, said she was “profoundly disappointed about today’s decision.” Columnist Moira Donegan noted that the court’s verdict again undermined the power of Congress. Georgetown law professor Stephen Vladeck wrote: “There’s no sugar-coating [it]. It’s an enormously important ruling. It’s a huge win for Trump/the executive. And it’s going to have massive ramifications for the functioning of the government long after Trump is gone.”
Other Supreme Court decisions
The Supreme Court also sided against national Republicans and the Trump administration by allowing mail-in ballots that arrive after election day to be counted, upholding the law in more than a dozen states. Additionally, the court ruled that law enforcement’s use of sprawling warrants that sweep up smartphone location data requires privacy protections under the Fourth Amendment, a boost to critics who view such warrants as an unconstitutional dragnet.
Trump's appeal in Carroll case declined
The Supreme Court declined Donald Trump’s request to review a 2023 New York jury verdict that found him liable for sexually abusing writer E Jean Carroll and then defaming her. The justices provided no explanation or reasoning, and no public dissents were noted. The decision leaves intact the $5 million civil judgment against Trump. Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Surprisingly, the supreme court declined to ‘review’ a Fake Case brought against me.” Roberta Kaplan, Carroll’s attorney, said: “Today’s supreme court decision affirms once and for all the jury’s unanimous verdict that President Donald J Trump sexually assaulted and defamed E Jean Carroll.”
Monaco parcel bomb blast wounds Ukrainian oligarch
A parcel bomb blast in Monaco wounded a Ukrainian oligarch and two others, an unprecedented act that rocked the principality. Prince Albert II described it as a “heinous crime” and “a shock to the entire Monégasque community.” A source close to the investigation identified one of the wounded as Ukrainian oligarch Vadym Iermolaiev, a multimillionaire Monaco resident sanctioned by Kyiv since December 2023 for his alcohol business in Russian-occupied Crimea. Public prosecutor Stéphane Thibault said a suspect left a bag or package in the building’s lobby before fleeing. The Monaco government said the explosion was caused by a “parcel bomb” containing bolts and buckshot, and a suspect was seen on video surveillance fleeing toward Beausoleil, France.
Other news highlights
Donald Trump nominated Keith Sonderling to serve as acting U.S. secretary of labor. A woman known as Jane Doe 4 in the Jeffrey Epstein files lives in fear of retaliation from the Trump administration. Peru’s president-elect Keiko Fujimori vowed to restore “order and hope” after defeating leftwing candidate Roberto Sanchez. Hollywood writer-director Carl Rinsch was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for defrauding Netflix of $11 million. A tenured professor fired over pro-Palestinian activism won her job back and is suing her university. A U.S. federal court sentenced exiled Chinese tycoon Guo Wengui to 30 years for defrauding thousands out of more than $1 billion.
Stat of the day: San Francisco archdiocese to pay $395 million
The San Francisco Catholic archdiocese agreed to pay $395 million to settle more than 500 lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse by church officials. Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone will write an apology letter to each survivor as part of the settlement, which also requires child protection and transparency reforms, including a list of clergy accused of abuse.
Culture pick: Robin Byrd documentary
Robin Byrd, a porn star turned safe-sex advocate during the AIDS epidemic, is the subject of the documentary Bang My Box: The Robin Byrd Story, which portrays her as an “accidental activist.”
Don’t miss: Freebirthing movement under scrutiny
A Guardian investigation exposes links between a U.S. business tied to baby deaths and Australian “birth keeper” Emily Lal, central to an inquest into the death of a Melbourne wellness influencer.
Survival story: Cook Islands fisher lost at sea
Junior Apiuta Apiuta survived eight days drifting alone in the Pacific Ocean after being thrown into the ocean by huge swells.
Climate check: Surviving Paris heatwave while pregnant
Reporter Megan Clement recounts coping with Europe’s hellish heat while seven months pregnant, noting that an information session on extreme heat was canceled due to the heatwave.
Last Thing: Naomi Osaka’s Wimbledon outfit
Naomi Osaka wowed the Wimbledon crowd with a floor-length ruffled gown inspired by Japanese ceremonial dress, all in white, complying with the tournament’s dress code.
