crucial

WASHINGTON — Federal agencies long regarded as pillars of nonpartisan stability are facing an identity crisis after the Supreme Court this week swept away nearly a century of precedent limiting presidential power.

The high court’s decision in Trump vs. Slaughter, allowing the president to remove members of historically independent agencies without cause, has sent shock waves through institutions that once believed their legal protections were secure. And it has raised concerns about the future credibility of agencies that serve crucial public functions, from the Securities and Exchange Commission, which protects investors, to the National Labor Relations Board, which safeguards the rights of private-sector workers.

Some experts question the ruling’s practical impact, noting that existing laws still require political balance on many agency boards. Presidents already wield significant influence over agency leadership. Still, most agree the decision could inject overt partisan politics into agencies that have traditionally resisted it, eroding public trust in their rules and judgment, chilling enforcement and kicking off a cycle of regulatory whiplash.

Already, President Trump has removed members of several independent regulatory bodies and appointed new leadership — including Brendan Carr as chair of the Federal Communications Commission — stoking fear among critics that these agencies are being used to advance the administration’s political priorities.

The ruling, Trump said, is the “greatest increase in presidential power in the last 100 years,” praising the decision as a necessary expansion of his authority.

Now, “the president can fire the principal officers heading these agencies at will,” said Gillian Metzger, a professor of administrative and constitutional law at Columbia University. “That will allow for dramatic swings in policy when administrations of different parties come into office, and seek to undo decisions and policies of prior administrations.”

The Slaughter decision overturned a 1935 ruling from the Supreme Court that found independent agencies — established and mandated by Congress, but housed under the executive — should have special removal protections, reflecting their hybrid roles between branches of government.

That ruling, Humphrey’s Executor vs. United States, found that Congress intended for members of independent bodies to be guarded against the winds of politics, providing long-term stability, professional consistency and nonpartisan expertise.

“Presidents will be more able to direct these agencies to implement particular policies and actions, and the independent decision-making and expertise-based decision-making that Congress intended these agencies to wield will be significantly undermined,” Metzger added. “That, it seems fair to say, is a real blow to the credibility of these entities as independent and expert regulators.”

In a separate opinion this week, the Supreme Court singled out the Federal Reserve as an exception to its otherwise sweeping rollback of protections for independent agencies.

But it leaves bodies like the SEC — created after the 1929 stock market crash to prevent market manipulation, enforce corporate transparency and maintain fair markets — vulnerable to accusations of political capture.

“The SEC has some Fed-like characteristics as a guardian of market confidence and financial stability, but it will not receive Fed-like protections under the two decisions released yesterday,” said George Georgiev, a law professor at the University of Miami and chair of the Investor Advisory Committee to the SEC.

“The practical consequences will depend on how aggressively future administrations use the removal power, and who is appointed to the Commission in the first place,” Georgiev added. “Yesterday’s decisions certainly upend how we think about independent agencies.”

John C. Coffee Jr., a leading authority on securities law at Columbia, said the decision will lead to “a loss of credibility for the SEC.”

“The lobbyists will redouble their attacks, and money will dominate good arguments in their approach,” Coffee said. “It is likely to become a much more politicized agency that has less interest in hiring independent professionals.”

“In such an environment, policy principles get ignored or shabbily distinguished, and marching orders come from the Executive Office Building,” he added.

Kristin Hickman, a distinguished professor and associate director of the Corporate Institute at University of Minnesota Law School, characterized public reaction to the ruling as “overblown.”

“Frankly, I don’t know if their function is going to be all that different,” Hickman said. “Statutorily, they still have to have members that are divided by party. Their statutory responsibilities don’t change. The president has always had the authority to change who serves as the chair of the agency upon coming into office.”

“On the one hand, doctrinally, Slaughter is a shift. You’re overruling a 90-year-old precedent,” she added. “On the other hand, it’s not clear to me that the everyday functioning of these agencies will change dramatically.”

Some of the agencies, such as the National Labor Relations Board, have no statutory requirement for political balance — and could simply cease functioning under an administration opposed to labor law enforcement.

But other experts share Hickman’s skepticism that the ruling will fundamentally change agency operations.

A study published two years ago in the Cornell Law Review examined the true independence of congressionally mandated agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission, FCC, SEC and others, and found that the independent agency design did not work particularly well, with presidents already exercising substantial control.

“By appointing the chair and general counsel, presidents had agenda setting power and some policy power. For agencies without independent litigation authority, the DOJ controlled legal arguments,” said Neal Devins, a professor of law and government at the College of William & Mary and an author of the study. “By the time presidents were able to have a majority of commissioners from their party — typically just over a year — presidents often called the shots.”

“Yesterday’s decisions certainly matter, as they give the president immediate direct control,” he added. “They are also significant symbolically. But the real story is taking presidential control from the shadows into a very public place.”

The Met Office has issued a series of amber and red heat alerts this week as temperatures are set to rise close to 40C in some parts of the UK, with the RAC urging drivers without air conditioning to postpone non-essential journeys

Britain is being battered by a sweltering heatwave this week, with temperatures threatening to nudge close to 40C in some areas of the country. In response, the Met Office has issued a raft of amber and red heat warnings.

Britons are also being urged to keep their fluid intake up and remain vigilant for signs of heat-related illness brought on by the scorching conditions.

Some people may look to escape the heat by jumping into their car and cranking up the air conditioning. However, one motoring expert has cautioned drivers that even if their vehicle is available to them, they should think twice before getting behind the wheel this week.

In a statement published on the RAC‘s website, the organisation’s road safety spokesman Rod Dennis warned that motorists without air conditioning in their vehicles should consider putting off their journeys altogether.

Explaining his reasoning, he said: “Red extreme heat warnings are rare and we urge everyone to take them seriously this week. Drivers whose vehicles don’t have effective air conditioning should strongly consider postponing any non-essential car journeys until the Met Office’s weather warnings are lifted and temperatures drop.

“If this isn’t possible, our best advice is to travel during cooler times of day. This is especially important for anyone travelling with vulnerable people, including young children and older adults, who are at greater risk from the intense heat.”

Red heat warnings, set to take effect on Wednesday and Thursday this week, have been put in place owing to the exceptionally high temperatures forecast across the south and south-east of the UK.

Temperatures are expected to soar so dramatically that some forecasters believe records for June could be shattered. The current record for the hottest June day stands at 35.6C, set in Southampton in 1976 and in Camden Square, London, in June 1957.

The last time Britain endured a prolonged spell of temperatures reaching as high as 40C was roughly four years ago, in July 2022.

In a statement addressing the warnings, Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Mark Sidaway made it clear that red warnings are not handed out lightly, and are reserved solely for the most extreme weather conditions.

He said: “Red warnings are reserved for the most severe events and we’re expecting severe and significant impacts from this heatwave, with health impacts likely for many, even beyond those who are normally more vulnerable to the heat.

“The last time the UK recorded temperatures this high was in July 2022, but on this occasion the heat is expected to be accompanied by high humidity.”

Meanwhile, Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at the United Kingdom Health Security Agency, added: “We are urging health and social care services across the country to ensure they are prepared.

“A red heat health alert indicates a risk to life for even the healthy population, but simple actions like staying hydrated, avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day, and keeping your home cool can make a big difference.”

Pakistan hosts Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian after mediating the breakthrough US-Iran negotiations in Switzerland.

Islamabad, Pakistan – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has alanded in Pakistan for a state visit – his first overseas trip since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28.

His Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar received the Iranian leader at a military base near capital Islamabad on Tuesday.

During his day-long visit, Pezeshkian, who is accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes ministers and senior officials, will hold talks with Sharif, and is also expected to meet with Zardari.

According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will also call on the Iranian leader.

“During the visit, the two sides will review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore new avenues to further deepen cooperation across diverse sectors, including trade, energy, border security, people-to-people exchanges, and regional connectivity,” the ministry said in a statement on Monday.

Pezeshkian’s visit follows the crucial first round of talks between the United States and Iran, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, in the Swiss city of Bürgenstock to end the war on Iran.

As part of the agreement, the US will release $12bn in frozen Iranian funds. The US has also announced a temporary easing of international sanctions on Iran, allowing it to sell its oil and petrochemicals until August 21. The talks concluded with a 60-day roadmap towards a final deal.

It is Pezeshkian’s second visit to Pakistan as president. His first, in August 2025, came days after the 12-day Iran-Israel war, and was also his first overseas trip following that conflict.

The visit is widely viewed as an expression of gratitude for Pakistan’s role in brokering the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, signed on June 18 by US President Donald Trump and Pezeshkian, with Prime Minister Sharif signing the document as a mediator.

The Islamabad MoU launched the formal diplomatic process now under way in Switzerland.

“The visit will also provide an important opportunity to discuss ongoing diplomatic engagements following the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, as well as regional and international developments of mutual interest,” Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in its statement.

When Saka cleverly curled past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno to double Arsenal‘s lead, it was his first goal for nine games and the first time he had scored and assisted in a Premier League game since November 2024.

Arteta said “I think the pain is gone” – referring to Saka’s Achilles problem – and that it had been “restricting his capacity to deliver certain actions”.

But what was even more promising for Arsenal was that it looked like Saka and striker Viktor Gyokeres had finally clicked.

At times this season it looked like the pair were struggling to form a partnership.

Saka’s role has been tactically tweaked to help Gyokeres, who prefers to run behind the opposition defence rather than link play when building attacks.

Saka has been moving in different ways to make space in the box and has been doing more work outside the area, which has impacted the number of goals he has scored – but not the winger’s influence on games.

However, against Fulham the pair looked on the same wavelength as they assisted each other in the first half.

“I think it was very good on Saturday,” Gyokeres said when speaking before Arsenal play Atletico on Tuesday.

“I think when he is in that form and he is playing like he always is, it is of course amazing for me and all the other guys to have him on the pitch.”

Surprisingly, when Saka crossed for Gyokeres’ opener, it was the first assist he had provided for the Sweden striker in the Premier League.

It was also Saka’s first assist in the top flight since January when Arsenal beat Bournemouth.

Saka’s record for Arsenal is excellent, and he has been directly involved in 150 goals (80 goals, 70 assists) for Arsenal in 308 appearances.

His return to form could not come at a better time with a place in the Champions League final up for grabs against Diego Simeone’s side.

“That’s what we need when we arrive in this stage of the competition,” Arteta said.

“Not only the players to be available but to be in top condition to perform and make the difference – and Bukayo certainly gives us that.”

“I’m trying to be very patient. But we are good and just waiting a little bit.

“We have a few tests in the next few days and then we will see how the injury is and what the next steps will be.”

The 22-year-old, who won clay-court titles in Monte Carle, Rome and Roland Garros and reached the final in Barcelona last season, could lose significant ground to Sinner in the rankings because of the injury.

Italian Sinner reclaimed the number one ranking this month after beating Alcaraz in the Monte Carlo final.

Alcaraz said: “I’d rather come back a little later but in great shape than come back early, rushing around, and unwell.

“God willing, I have a very long career ahead of me, many years, and pushing myself too hard at this Roland Garros could seriously harm me in future tournaments.

“Things happen in the professional world. You have to accept them. I need to recover really well if I don’t want it to affect me later on.”