WASHINGTON — Chief Justice John Roberts on Monday issued an order temporarily halting the reinstatement of Democratic Federal Trade Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, while the Trump administration pursues Supreme Court review of her removal.
The order came in response to an application filed last week by U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer, who asked the Court to pause a D.C. district court ruling requiring Slaughter’s reinstatement. That lower court held she was protected by for-cause removal restrictions.
A divided panel of the D.C. Circuit previously refused to stay the order, concluding that Slaughter could not be removed at will, and dissolved a temporary administrative stay.
Roberts’ order provided no reasoning but left reinstatement on hold “pending further order of the Court.” He also directed Slaughter and her supporters to file a response to the administration’s application by Sept. 15.
