BURLINGTON, VT — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Senate Finance Committee, today released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s rulings in Trump v. Slaughter and Trump v. Cook. In the former, the Court gave the President power to fire the heads of independent agency without cause: 

“The Supreme Court’s ruling in Trump v. Slaughter is a dangerous expansion of presidential power. The conservative Court just gave him a green light to fire once-independent regulators at will. These agencies and leadership positions were specifically designed by Congress to stand independently in order to avoid political interference. This decision is far-reaching, affecting the agencies that regulate everything from our skies to our elections to our public safety. Officials meant to serve the public interest will now be filled by political actors. While this ruling is a victory for the president and his enablers in Congress and the courts, it is a blow to our democracy.  

“The Court’s exception for the Central Bank and ruling to block President Trump’s unlawful firing of Fed Governor Lisa Cook is a step in the right direction but is not the end of this fight. Time and again, the President and his allies are using their bully pulpit to direct political prosecutions of leaders President Trump doesn’t like. Governor Cook’s case is no different, and she continues to deserve due process and a fair trial. President Trump and Bill Pulte’s attempts to falsely discredit Lisa Cook must stop immediately.”  

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