Supreme Court rulings on Fed, FTC: What they mean for consumers

The U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, June 29, 2026. Graeme Sloan | Bloomberg | Getty Images Two highly anticipated Supreme Court rulings on Monday may have far-reaching effects for consumers — both positive and negative, according to financial experts. In one ruling, Supreme Court justices preserved Federal Reserve's independence from political influence — for now, at least — which experts said was a win for consumers and the U.S. economy. The other decision, which gave presidents the power to fire members of other federal commissions like the Federal Trade Commission, could lead to more volatile policymaking and regulatory whiplash for consumers and businesses, even under future presidential administrations, they said. Supreme Court ruling on Fed, Lisa Cook Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, accompanied by lawyer Abbe Lowell, outside the U.S. Supreme Court, as Supreme Court justices consider President Donald Trump's effort to fire her, in Washington, Jan. 21, 2026. Nathan Howard | Reuters The high court, in a 5-4 ruling , sided with Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, who President Donald Trump tried to fire in August 2025. Fed governors serve 14-year terms, and can only be removed for cause . Cook's term was set to expire in 2038. In an August 2025 letter to Cook, Trump said he had " reason to believe " the Fed governor, who was nominated by former President Joe Biden, had committed mortgage fraud. …