Trump v. Lisa D. Cook, Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

The Court denied the Government's request to pause a court order keeping Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook in office. It concluded that the President had not identified a legally permissible cause (a valid legal reason) to remove her.

Chief Justice Roberts wrote the 5–4 opinion, joined by Justices Sotomayor and Kagan; Justices Kavanaugh and Jackson concurred; Justices Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, and Barrett dissented.

Majority

Roberts

Sotomayor

Kagan

Kavanaugh

Jackson

Dissent

Thomas

Alito

Gorsuch

Barrett

“The Government’s application is denied.”

“This case presents many thorny legal questions.”

Cook remains on the Federal Reserve Board while the case continues. The decision protects the Board's ability to operate without the disputed removal taking effect.

The lower-court case continues while Cook remains a governor. The Court's interim decision does not finally decide whether the President may lawfully remove her for cause.

The Court denied the Government's request to pause the order blocking Cook's removal. Cook remains on the Federal Reserve Board during the litigation.

Cook remains a Federal Reserve governor while the case proceeds. The President cannot carry out the disputed removal during that period.

Lower-court litigation continues while Cook remains in office. The Court has not finally decided whether the President may lawfully remove her for cause.

Yes. The Court's interim decision leaves that protection in place and keeps Cook in office while the courts continue considering the dispute.