Trump Taps 2nd-Tier Civil Litigators for Personal Legal Team as Epshteyn Keeps Lead Role

Q: After a landmark ruling expanded presidential removal power, which independent agency might be the next to face a leadership challenge?

The Federal Election Commission appears to be a likely next target. The broader context is the Supreme Court’s June 2026 ruling in *Trump v. Slaughter*, which greatly expanded presidential power to remove leaders of independent agencies. That decision has already had immediate effects: the Election Assistance Commission’s leadership was fired, and agencies such as the FTC, NLRB, EEOC, FCC, FERC, CPSC and NRC are now seen as more vulnerable. But the FEC stands out because it was specifically identified in the related reporting as an “open question” after the ruling. An election law expert said uncertainty remains about whether the same removal doctrine applies to the EAC and the FEC, and Trump had already removed a Democratic FEC commissioner earlier in 2026, suggesting the commission could face a renewed challenge. The Federal Reserve was also mentioned by the Court as a special unresolved category, but a separate ruling the same day declined Trump’s attempt to remove Fed governor Lisa Cook, signaling that the Fed may retain stronger protection than most other agencies. So, based on the reporting and the legal posture after *Slaughter*, the FEC is the independent agency most plausibly next in line for a leadership challenge.

3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 10

Donald Trump has assembled a personal legal team of lesser-known civil litigators after cycling through higher-profile attorneys whose advice he often ignored.
Boris Epshteyn remains the central figure despite advice that Trump should fire him, underscoring the president’s preference for loyal advisers over outside pressure.
Trump values the new lawyers for their readiness to press arguments other attorneys might refuse, according to a Trump adviser familiar with the internal discussions.
The arrangement is unusual for a sitting president because the team represents Trump personally, including in matters that can put his private legal interests at odds with his own government.