Key facts
- The Supreme Court is expected to rule on President Donald Trump's authority to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.
- Trump cited unsubstantiated mortgage fraud allegations to justify firing Cook.
- Federal Reserve governors can only be removed 'for cause,' a standard not previously tested in court.
- The case challenges a 1935 Supreme Court precedent protecting heads of independent agencies from removal.
- The court is also expected to rule on Trump's attempt to fire FTC member Rebecca Slaughter.
- Decisions on election law and transgender athletes are also pending.
The U.S. Supreme Court is nearing the end of its term and is expected to issue rulings on several significant cases, including those challenging President Donald Trump's authority to remove officials from independent agencies like the Federal Reserve and the Federal Trade Commission.
The court is reviewing Trump's bid to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, who alleges the stated reasons for her removal were a pretext for policy disagreements. The administration argues for broader presidential power to remove officials, potentially challenging a 1935 Supreme Court precedent. The statute governing Fed governors requires removal only 'for cause,' a term not explicitly defined, making this case a test of the central bank's independence from political interference.
Similarly, the court is expected to rule on Trump's attempt to dismiss FTC member Rebecca Slaughter over policy differences. The administration's arguments in these cases aim to overturn or narrow precedents that have historically protected agency heads from arbitrary presidential removal.
In addition to these cases concerning presidential power, the Supreme Court is also set to decide on election-related matters and a case involving transgender athletes. The court's conservative majority is expected to issue these decisions in the coming days, with Monday set as the next date for rulings.