In a significant legal development, former President Donald Trump has sought an urgent review from the US Supreme Court regarding his dismissal authority. This appeal hinges on a historical precedent from the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, specifically the pivotal case of Humphrey’s Executor v United States. Established in 1935, the ruling underscored the constraints on presidential power concerning the dismissal of appointed officials, thereby safeguarding the independence of various executive bodies.
District courts have recently reaffirmed this principle, ruling against Trump’s attempts to remove appointees from the Biden administration without justifiable cause. Legal experts, including University of Virginia’s Sai Prakash, caution that Trump’s case could challenge decades of legal precedent. Should the Supreme Court choose to overturn the Humphrey’s case, it could redefine executive authority and raise questions about political influence over critical economic entities like the Federal Reserve. Such changes could have far-reaching implications for financial governance if Trump secures a return to political office.