October Term 2019 · Docket 19-7
Can the President remove the CFPB director at will?
Seila Law argues the CFPB director's fixed term violates the Constitution. The Bureau defends the removal restriction as lawful.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Shanmugam argued the CFPB structure is unprecedented and unconstitutional.
Clement argued text and precedent support the removal provision's validity.
General Francisco argued single-headed agencies should not get multi-member exceptions.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 26-52 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 26-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 24-6 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 24-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 24-12 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 24-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 18-28 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 18-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 48-36 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 48-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 12-14 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 12-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 20-30 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 20-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 46-50 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 46-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 14-32 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 14-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 10-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 38-42 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 38-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 44-12 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 44-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 26-54 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 26-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 6-14 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 6-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 26-6 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 26-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 40-28 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 40-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 20-40 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 20-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 50-54 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 50-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 36-40 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 36-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 52-6 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 52-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 8-16 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 8-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 26-44 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 26-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 32-36 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 32-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 36-48 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 36-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 50-14 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 50-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 16-16 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 16-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 54-38 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 54-38
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Seila Law seeks to void the CFPB director's removal protection. The Bureau seeks to keep the restriction intact.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 12-14 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 12-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 14-32 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 14-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 44-12 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 44-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 26-54 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 26-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 36-48 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 36-48
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 3, 2020.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 10-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 40-28 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 40-28
What each side wants
Seila Law wants the Court to strike down the removal restriction.
The Bureau wants the Court to uphold the removal restriction.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 12-14 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 12-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 14-32 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 14-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 44-12 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 44-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 26-54 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 26-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 36-48 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 36-48
What each side says
Seila Law argues the structure concentrates too much power in one person.
The Bureau argues the restriction fits within existing constitutional exceptions.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 12-14 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 12-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 14-32 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 14-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 44-12 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 44-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 26-54 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 26-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 36-48 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 36-48
What the justices asked
Justice Ginsburg asked if the case is academic because the acting head was removable.
Justice Sotomayor asked if finding the provision severable makes the case moot.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 26-52 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 26-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 24-6 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 24-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 24-12 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 24-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 18-28 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 18-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 48-36 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 48-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 20-30 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 20-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 46-50 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 46-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 38-42 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 38-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 6-14 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 6-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 26-6 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 26-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 40-28 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 40-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 20-40 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 20-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 50-54 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 50-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 36-40 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 36-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 52-6 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 52-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 8-16 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 8-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 26-44 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 26-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 32-36 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 32-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 50-14 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 50-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 16-16 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 16-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 54-38 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 54-38
Why it matters
This case defines presidential control over independent agencies. It shapes how regulators enforce consumer protection laws. It impacts the balance of executive power.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 12-14 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 12-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 14-32 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 14-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 44-12 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 44-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 26-54 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 26-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 36-48 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 36-48
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 26-52 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 26-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 24-6 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 24-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 24-12 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 24-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 18-28 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 18-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 48-36 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 48-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 20-30 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 20-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 46-50 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 46-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 10-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 38-42 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 38-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 6-14 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 6-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 26-6 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 26-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 40-28 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 40-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 20-40 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 20-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 50-54 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 50-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 36-40 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 36-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 52-6 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 52-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 8-16 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 8-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 26-44 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 26-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 32-36 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 32-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 50-14 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 50-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 16-16 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 16-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 54-38 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 54-38
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 12-14 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 12-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 14-32 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 14-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 44-12 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 44-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 26-54 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 26-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 36-48 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 36-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 12-14 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 12-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 14-32 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 14-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 44-12 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 44-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 26-54 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 26-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 36-48 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 36-48
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.