The US Supreme Court expanded the president's power to fire heads of regulatory agencies, delivering a major win for Donald Trump. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing BBC News.
However, two other court decisions went against Trump: one blocked his attempt to fire Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook, and another allowed counting of mail-in ballots received after election day.
The court's six conservative justices (three appointed by Trump) ruled in favor of the president's removal power. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion: "Subordinates who exercise the president's power are subject to removal by him. Then, and only then, can they remain accountable to the president, and the president to the people."
The three liberal justices dissented. The decision gives Trump and future presidents broad authority to replace heads of dozens of agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission, bodies interpreting election laws, setting communications policies, resolving labor disputes, and establishing financial and environmental regulations.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: "Ninety years of precedent has been completely and unequivocally overruled, greatly increasing presidential power at a time when it is most needed!"
However, in a five-to-four ruling (conservatives Roberts and Kavanaugh joined the liberals), the court blocked Trump's attempt to remove Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve Board. Trump alleged she committed mortgage fraud, but Roberts said Cook deserved a chance to challenge her removal and rebut the accusations. Roberts warned of "calamities that could arise" if presidents could impose their will on the Fed.
In a third ruling, the court (Roberts and Trump-appointee Amy Coney Barrett joined the liberals) allowed states to count mail-in ballots postmarked by election day but received after. Barrett cited states' broad powers to set the "time, place and manner" of elections, dismissing Trump's allegations of mail-in ballot fraud. Trump urged Congress to pass his election-reform package, but a Senate vote has been blocked.