The U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule this week on two of President Donald Trump's most controversial initiatives: his attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook and his bid to end automatic birthright citizenship for children born on U.S. soil. The justices will release their final seven rulings of the term, starting Monday at 10:00 a.m. Washington time, with these cases among the most consequential.
Fed Governor Firing Case
Trump's effort to oust Lisa Cook, a Fed governor, centers on mortgage fraud allegations she denies. The court will decide whether Trump can remove Cook temporarily while she fights for her job, but the case could have broader implications for the Federal Reserve's independence. A victory for Trump might allow him to remove other governors who resist his calls to lower interest rates, potentially reshaping the central bank. Trump has openly discussed firing Jerome Powell, whose term as chair has expired but who remains on the Fed's Board of Governors.
During January arguments, justices signaled reluctance to let Trump remove Cook before she can contest the allegations. University of Chicago law professor William Baude said, "It seems likely the court is going to rule against the administration," though he noted uncertainty about how much the court would address underlying legal issues. The court already dealt Trump a major defeat this term on Feb. 20, striking down his sweeping global tariffs.
Independent Agencies and Birthright Citizenship
Trump might fare better in a related case involving a Democratic member of the Federal Trade Commission, arguing that his constitutional authority allows him to fire top officials at executive-branch agencies for any reason, even if Congress created job protections. He seeks to overturn a 91-year-old precedent underpinning the modern administrative state. However, the court has signaled its ruling won't apply to the Fed.
The birthright citizenship case challenges the longstanding interpretation of the 14th Amendment and federal statutes that guarantee citizenship to nearly everyone born on U.S. soil. Trump is asking the court to roll back this principle, which could be a second blow to his agenda if the court rules against him.
