Court expands presidential authority
The US Supreme Court handed President Donald Trump a significant legal victory on Monday by expanding presidential authority over independent federal regulators, while also delivering three important setbacks on other key issues.
In a landmark ruling, the court overturned nearly a century of precedent that had limited a president’s ability to remove commissioners from independent regulatory agencies established by Congress.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority that officials exercising presidential authority “are subject to removal” by the president, arguing this is necessary to ensure accountability.
The 6-3 decision split along ideological lines, with the court’s six conservative justices supporting the ruling and its three liberal justices dissenting.
The decision is expected to strengthen presidential authority over agencies responsible for areas including consumer protection, elections, communications, labour, and environmental regulation.
Trump welcomed the ruling on Truth Social, describing it as a decision that “greatly” increased presidential power.
Federal Reserve ruling limits Trump’s reach
Despite the major victory, the court also rejected Trump’s attempt to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.
In a narrow 5-4 ruling, Chief Justice Roberts and conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined the court’s three liberal justices in allowing Cook to challenge her dismissal.
Trump had accused Cook of mortgage fraud, but the majority ruled she should have the opportunity to contest the allegations before any removal could take effect.
Roberts warned of the serious consequences that could arise if presidents were able to exert direct control over the Federal Reserve.
Election case also goes against the president
Trump also lost a separate case concerning mail-in voting.
The court ruled that states have broad constitutional authority to determine how congressional elections are conducted, including whether to count mail-in ballots postmarked by election day but received afterwards.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote the majority opinion, joined by Chief Justice Roberts and the court’s three liberal justices.
The ruling rejected Trump’s longstanding claims that mail-in voting is especially vulnerable to fraud, with Barrett stating that any changes to election laws should be addressed through the democratic process.
Supreme Court declines defamation appeal
In another setback, the Supreme Court declined to hear Trump’s appeal against a $5 million civil judgment awarded to writer E. Jean Carroll.
A jury found in 2023 that Trump had defamed Carroll after she accused him of sexually assaulting her in a New York department store during the 1990s.
By refusing to hear the case, the Supreme Court effectively leaves the judgment in place.
Trump criticised the decision on Truth Social, calling it an example of “weaponization” and vowing to continue challenging the ruling.
He is still pursuing an appeal in a separate case in which Carroll was awarded $83.3 million in damages.
A mixed day for Trump
Monday’s rulings underscored the Supreme Court’s complex relationship with the president.
While the justices significantly expanded presidential authority over independent regulators, they also demonstrated a willingness to limit executive power in other areas, including the Federal Reserve, election law and Trump’s personal legal battles.
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