I listened to Trump’s #WEF speech when I should have been listening to oral arguments at #SCOTUS.
The Supreme Court repeatedly questioned a lawyer for the #Trump admin about whether the president exceeded his authority in firing #LisaCook, a member of the #FederalReserve board, in a case with potentially enormous consequences for the #economy.
#law
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01/21/us/supreme-court-fed-lisa-cook?smid=nytcore-ios-share
During the oral arguments, Justice Brett M. #Kavanaugh pressed Trump’s representative, Solicitor General D. John #Sauer, over the idea that a victory for #Trump could allow future admins to try to dismiss #Fed officials “at will.” [because, it’s only okay if this admin does it 🤦🏼♀️]
In the first hour, the justices sounded wary of siding with Trump’s view that he should have full discretion to decide what actions are grounds for removal.
The #FederalReserve sets #MonetaryPolicy & #InterestRates, among other duties, & when #Congress established it, lawmakers worked to insulate it from #political #influence. Its leaders have 14-year terms & may be removed only “for cause.” But #Trump has increasingly attacked the #Fed, pressuring it to lower interest rates as well as trying to push out its chair, #JeromePowell, & fire board governor #LisaCook.
The justices have signaled that the #Fed may be uniquely protected from presidential meddling, even as the court’s conservative majority has allowed #Trump to fire leaders of other #independent #FederalAgencies.
#law #FederalReserve #economy #independence #SCOTUS #authoritarianism
@Nonilex Yes, because their finances would be affected as well. Apparently, principles only matter when there is a personal stake involved.
