Overview
- During expedited arguments, several justices questioned the administration’s view that “for cause” allows removal based on pre‑tenure acts with no notice or hearing and offers no judicial review.
- Lisa Cook remains on the Federal Reserve Board under a preliminary injunction issued by a D.C. district judge and upheld by a divided appeals panel, with the Supreme Court leaving her in place pending review.
- Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued that the proper remedy would be mandamus yet said it would not apply because the decision is discretionary, drawing pointed pushback from Justice Elena Kagan.
- Justice Brett Kavanaugh warned of real‑world consequences if a low bar for cause and no procedural safeguards permit future presidents to sweep out independent agency officials.
- Chair Jerome Powell attended the hearing and later called the case the most important in the Fed’s 113‑year history as he faces a DOJ probe over testimony on headquarters renovations that he has labeled a pretext.