October Term 2025 · Docket 25A312
Can the President Remove a Federal Reserve Governor for Pre-Office Conduct?
President Trump removed Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve. A district court blocked the removal. The core question is whether pre-office conduct can count as cause for removal.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion 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
Sauer opened by stating that deceit or gross negligence in financial transactions is cause for removal. He described Cook submitting mortgage applications for two properties in a two-week period in 2021. He then argued the district court lacked jurisdiction to enter the preliminary injunction under the Court's holding in Sawyer.
Clement opened by describing the Federal Reserve as a uniquely structured entity with a distinct historical tradition.
Sotomayor pressed on the scope of the D. C. Circuit's decision. She asked whether it addressed the definition of cause, including pre-office conduct and the required nexus. She noted the unprecedented nature of the removal. She said keeping Cook does not thwart any right Trump has to run the department because he conceded he has none.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 49-53 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 49-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 15-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 37-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 7-21 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 7-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 11-29 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 11-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 37-53 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 37-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 13-37 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 13-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 53-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 55-19 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 55-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 45-53 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 45-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 31-7 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 31-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 33-49 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 33-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 35-19 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 35-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 21-41
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
General Sauer argued that deceit in financial transactions is cause for removal. He said Cook submitted mortgage applications for two properties in 2021. Mr. Clement argued the Federal Reserve is a uniquely structured entity. He said it has a distinct historical tradition.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 15-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 37-53 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 37-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 17-43
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 21, 2026.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 35-19 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 35-19
What each side wants
Trump's side wants Cook removed. They say her pre-office conduct shows deceit or gross negligence.
Cook's side wants to keep her position. They say the Federal Reserve's structure limits presidential removal power.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 15-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 37-53 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 37-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 17-43
What each side says
Sauer said the statutory standard is not limited to in-office misconduct. He argued Congress did not adopt that limitation here.
Clement said the Federal Reserve is a uniquely structured entity. He pointed to its distinct historical tradition.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 15-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 37-53 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 37-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 17-43
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked whether the D.C. Circuit decided anything beyond the constitutional question.
Justice Thomas questioned whether the Federal Reserve is an executive branch agency at all. He said this is an antecedent point to the removal question. He asked on what basis the Court should conclude the president has removal authority over it. Sotomayor added that the unprecedented nature of the removal reflects what the president did, not what Cook did.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 49-53 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 49-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 37-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 7-21 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 7-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 11-29 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 11-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 13-37 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 13-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 53-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 55-19 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 55-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 45-53 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 45-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 31-7 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 31-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 33-49 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 33-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 21-41
Why it matters
The case tests the scope of presidential removal power over an independent financial regulator. It also raises whether a district court can enjoin a presidential removal order.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 15-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 37-53 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 37-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 17-43
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 37-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 49-53 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 49-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 37-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 7-21 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 7-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 11-29 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 11-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 13-37 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 13-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 53-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 55-19 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 55-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 45-53 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 45-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 31-7 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 31-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 35-7 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 35-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 33-49 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 33-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 35-19 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 35-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 21-41
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 15-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 37-53 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 37-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 15-27 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 15-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 37-53 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 37-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 17-43
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.