It is 2026 and if you thought we were done with the drama, you were painfully mistaken. We are staring down the barrel of what Mike Leon, Anchor of the Legal Podcast Network, told CNN is going to be the “most consequential term” for the Supreme Court. Why? Because Donald Trump is once again trying to treat the executive branch like his own personal reality show where the only catchphrase is “You’re fired.”
Here is the deal. The man who has never met a rule he did not want to shred is currently testing just how far he can push the legal system before it snaps.
The “You Can’t Fire Everyone” Defense
According to legal experts, two major cases are looming over us like a bad spray tan: Trump v. Slaughter and Trump v. Cook. These are not just legal briefs. They are the battleground for whether independent agencies can actually stay, well, independent.
The Slaughter case is terrifyingly simple. It could redefine the limits of presidential power over independent agencies. If Trump gets his way, he gets more authority to fire officials who do not kiss the ring. Because apparently, loyalty to the Constitution is so last season.
The Lisa Cook Saga
Then we have Trump v. Cook. This one involves Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors. Trump wanted to fire her immediately because heaven forbid someone at the Fed does their job without checking with Mar-a-Lago first. But here is the delicious part. The U.S. Supreme Court actually said no. They refused to allow Trump to fire Cook immediately and have allowed her to stay in office while the hearing remains pending.
The court is hearing arguments for this case this month, with a ruling slated for January 21. And as Leon pointed out to CNN, this is about way more than just the Federal Reserve.
Precedents and Power Grabs
This isn’t just about one woman keeping her job. It is about whether future presidents can turn the federal government into their own personal staffing agency.
Leon put it perfectly when he said, “So the president has talked about where he where he fired that commissioner. And then obviously the lower courts, I think, ruled that she had to be reinstated back.”
He went on to ask the question we are all screaming into our pillows: “So where does the executive branch’s power lie versus where it’s something where the president is told, no, you can’t do that. That is outside of your jurisdiction.”
The Bottom Line
If Trump wins these, he effectively neuters the checks and balances that keep this country from turning into a dictatorship. Leon added, “This is another case that will set the precedent, I think, going forward for future presidents on how they delegate and how they hire people in some of these roles, and how these agencies function.”
He concluded with a sentiment that feels all too real right now: “I mean, keep me honest here, at least I think it’s the core issue as you’re seeing the core through line, through some of these cases that are going to be before the Supreme Court.”
So grab your popcorn and maybe a stiff drink. The Supreme Court is the only thing standing between us and total executive chaos. Let’s hope they remember that kings don’t belong in America.
