Archive · 7 Dec 2025
US Supreme Court weighs ending 90-year limit on presidential firing powers
The US Supreme Court is thinking about changing a 90-year-old rule that stops the president from firing certain government leaders.
This rule, called Humphrey’s Executor, has been around since 1935.
President Donald Trump has already fired many officials, but two have stayed in their jobs.
The court is deciding if Trump should have more power to fire people.
Some people think this is a good idea because they believe the president should have full control.
Others think the rule should stay because it protects important government work.
The court will also decide if judges can put someone back in their job if they were fired unfairly.
This is important because it could affect the economy and how the government works.
US Supreme Court considers overturning 90-year-old precedent limiting presidential firing powers.
President Trump has already removed several officials despite the Humphrey’s Executor ruling.
Only two officials, Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook and Library of Congress’s Shira Perlmutter, have resisted removal.
Conservative justices signal willingness to abandon the precedent, while liberal justices express concern.
Court will also decide if judges can reinstate officials wrongfully fired, with economic concerns raised about Federal Reserve leaders.
- Who
- US Supreme Court, President Donald Trump, Federal Trade Commission head Rebecca Slaughter, Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook
- What
- Potential overturn of a 90-year-old precedent limiting presidential firing powers
- When
- Case to be argued on Monday, with separate arguments in January regarding Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook
- Where
- United States Supreme Court
- Why
- To determine the extent of presidential authority to remove heads of independent federal agencies
- Case Focus
- Removal of Federal Trade Commission head Rebecca Slaughter
- Precedent in Question
- 1935 Humphrey’s Executor ruling
- Key Figures
- Chief Justice John Roberts, President Donald Trump, Justice Elena Kagan
- Opposing Officials
- Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, Library of Congress’s Shira Perlmutter
- Conservative View
- Unitary executive theory supports presidential control over all executive branch
- Liberal View
- Historical and constitutional limits on presidential removal power
- Court's Stance
- Conservative justices signal willingness to overturn precedent
- Economic Concern
- Potential impact of firing Federal Reserve leaders