The U.S. Supreme Court may be on summer recess, but its emergency docket reveals a flurry of activity. Even during the traditionally quiet months, the justices have been tasked with numerous emergency applications, many from the Trump administration. Notably, three recent decisions include a significant case concerning immigration stops in Los Angeles, marking the latest in a series of rulings favoring the administration. This ongoing stretch of decisions has bolstered the administration’s winning streak on the emergency docket, with 18 consecutive successful interventions. Legal experts like Steve Vladeck continue to track these developments.
Among the pressing matters awaiting resolution, two key cases stand out. In Trump v. Slaughter, the Supreme Court must decide whether President Trump can proceed with the dismissal of FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, whom he removed without citing cause. This case has its roots in the landmark 1935 decision, Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, which limited the President’s power to remove FTC commissioners. Chief Justice John Roberts recently allowed Trump’s dismissal to take effect temporarily while Slaughter is mandated to submit her response shortly.
Another significant issue involves the allocation of foreign aid funds in the case of Department of State v. AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition. The administration has, for the third time, requested the Supreme Court’s intervention to halt the disbursement of foreign aid, arguing for presidential authority to refuse spending previously authorized by Congress. The controversy began when an executive order was issued to re-evaluate foreign aid, leading to halted payments and subsequent legal challenges. Most recently, Roberts has allowed an extension on a pending rescission proposal review by Congress, impacting a $4 billion aid allocation.
Looking ahead, additional cases may also find their way onto the emergency docket, such as a potential challenge related to the dismissal of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. As courts grapple with these legal conundrums, the Trump administration’s track record of obtaining favorable rulings on the emergency docket remains unbroken. For further details, the full article can be accessed here.