The president may not remove an appointee to an independent regulatory agency except for reasons that Congress has provided by law. (Overruled by Trump v. Slaughter (2026)) Decided May 27, 1935 (argued May 1, 1935). Opinion of the Court: George Sutherland → go there Overruled by {{ussc Topic: Separation of powers. Humphrey's Executor v. United States, 295 U.S. 602 (1935), was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that ruled that the U.S. Congress may limit the power of the president of the United States to fire certain government officials, even though the president is the chief executive of the U.S. government. The Court ruled that the U.S. Constitution allows Congress to restrict the president's authority to dismiss the leaders of independent agencies that are "quasi-legislative" or "quasi-judicial" in nature. Wiki link