Supreme Court Delivers Mixed Rulings in Series of Trump-Related Cases

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a series of mixed rulings involving President Donald Trump, delivering both legal setbacks and victories in decisions released today.

In a 5–4 ruling, the court denied the president’s attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. The court found that allowing her removal could undermine the independence of the Federal Reserve, with Chief Justice John Roberts noting concerns about political interference and the unique structure of the central bank.

In a separate case, however, the court ruled that the president may remove officials from other independent agencies without cause, including a Federal Trade Commission member. The decision effectively overturns decades of precedent limiting presidential authority over such agencies, expanding executive power in that context.

The court also upheld Mississippi’s mail-in ballot rules, allowing ballots to be counted up to five days after Election Day if postmarked on time, reinforcing state control over election procedures.

In another ruling, the justices declined to overturn the civil judgment against Trump in the E. Jean Carroll case, leaving in place a $5 million award tied to allegations of sexual abuse and defamation.

The decisions underscore a complex and divided term for the court, with rulings that both restrict and expand presidential authority across different branches of government.