Legal AF - "SCOTUS Rules Against Trump and Pauses His Order"
Podcast: Legal AF by MeidasTouch
Episode Date: October 1, 2025
Hosts: Michael Popok (Primary speaker), Ben Meiselas, Karen Friedman Agnifilo

Episode Overview

In this episode, Michael Popok provides an in-depth analysis of a major breaking legal development: the Supreme Court's decision to block Donald Trump’s attempt to remove Lisa Cook from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. The episode breaks down the Supreme Court’s ruling, the legal background, and the broader implications for the independence of the Federal Reserve, as well as other recent legal setbacks for Trump

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. SCOTUS Blocks Trump’s Attempt to Remove Lisa Cook

• Main Story:

  • The Supreme Court has issued a one-line order that denies Donald Trump’s request to immediately remove Lisa Cook from her position on the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors.
  • The decision is temporary, pending oral arguments scheduled for January 2026. Until then, Cook remains in her role and will participate in key meetings on interest rates through the end of the year.
  • Popok frames this as a “preliminary win for the independence of the Federal Reserve.”

    “At least a preliminary win for the independence of the Federal Reserve, the Supreme Court has just ruled in a one-line order that Lisa Cook is not going to be removed … because Donald Trump says so to destroy the independence of the Federal Reserve...” — Michael Popok [01:46]

• Background:

  • Trump has expressed repeated frustration with the Federal Reserve, wishing to control interest rates and lambasting the Fed’s policies as not helpful for his economic agenda.

  • Unable to remove Jay Powell, the Fed Chair, Trump turned on Lisa Cook with unsupported allegations about mortgage fraud—claims the courts found baseless.

    “He turned his attention to Lisa Cook, came up with some phony framed allegations… Turns out none of that is true.” — Michael Popok [03:05]

  • Trump attempted to fire Cook without due process, simply via a social media posting, despite prior Supreme Court precedent (Wilcox v. Trump, May 2025) stating he could only do so ‘for cause.’

2. Legal Process & Supreme Court Order Breakdown

• Sequence of Appeals:

  • Trump’s attempt to remove Cook was blocked by both the trial court and a 2-1 decision at the D.C. federal appellate court. He then filed an emergency appeal to SCOTUS.

  • The Supreme Court’s order keeps Cook in her post and sets a full briefing and oral argument schedule for January 2026, with a final decision unlikely until February or March 2026.

    “The longer she stays in the job, the better it is for her legal position, the better it is for the American economy.” — Michael Popok [05:45]

  • The Supreme Court also directed for amicus curiae ("friend of the court") briefs and additional supplemental submissions to be considered.

    “The clerk of the Supreme Court is directed to establish a briefing schedule for amicus curiae ... and any supplemental briefs responding to the amici.” — Michael Popok [05:22]

• Strategic Implications:

  • If Trump were successful, he could gain a majority on the Federal Reserve and influence monetary policy, but, as Popok notes, the Supreme Court didn’t buy this argument or allow him to effect such a shift in the short term.

3. What Comes Next?

• Trial Court Proceedings:
  • Judge Gia Cobb is retaining jurisdiction; she entered the initial injunction keeping Cook in place.
  • Popok recommends Cook’s legal team supplement the record, update briefs (especially evidence disproving the mortgage fraud claim and clarifying due process rights), and prepare a robust defense for the January oral argument.

4. Broader Context: Trump’s Legal Setbacks

• Recent Defeats:
  • The episode places this ruling within a broader context of Trump’s recent court losses, including:
    • Being blocked from interfering with the Voice of America.
    • Being prevented from deporting individuals for political reasons.
    • Losing a key nominee, E.J. Antoni, for chief economist at the Bureau of Labor Statistics over offensive social media posts.
    • Failed attempts at appointments in federal prosecutorial roles, notably in Nevada.
  • Popok points out that Trump is on a notable losing streak in the courts, especially with attempts to undermine institutional independence.

    “It's been a bad day for Donald Trump in terms of losses. And if you go back in the last 72 hours, he's lost several federal court cases…” — Michael Popok [09:14]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Supreme Court Order:

  “This is a good result folks. And this has been a bad day for Donald Trump in terms of losses.” — Michael Popok [09:48]

• On the Stakes of the Case:

  “If Donald Trump was successful, one vote actually gets him nine. Because if he gets the Federal Reserve majority by getting rid of Lisa Cook, that gives him a 4 to 3 majority … You can set interest rates to your heart’s desire. And that’s what he’s trying to do with Lisa Cook.” — Michael Popok [08:03]

• On SCOTUS’s Approach:

  “There weren't at least five votes even among the MAGA six on the Supreme Court to reward Donald Trump for his violating effectively their May decision not to fire Federal Reserve personnel without for cause and do it through due process.” — Michael Popok [05:58]

• On Legal AF’s Role:

  “While you’re here, do me a personal favor. Come over to Legal AF, the subs legal YouTube channel… 10 new videos a day at the intersection of law and politics with detailed reporting.” — Michael Popok [10:40]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:46] — Popok introduces breaking SCOTUS news on Lisa Cook and context for the Federal Reserve
• [03:10] — Details of Trump’s attempts and legal strategies to control the Federal Reserve
• [05:22] — Reading and analysis of the Supreme Court’s actual text and subsequent implications
• [08:03] — Explanation of the strategic stakes and how Trump could have seized Fed policy control
• [09:14] — Recap of Trump’s legal defeats (Voice of America, BLS nomination, failed federal appointments)
• [10:40] — Call to action for the Legal AF community and summary wrap-up

Final Thoughts

This episode delivers a deep dive into the legal clash between Donald Trump and institutional safeguards around the Federal Reserve’s independence, spotlighting the Supreme Court’s critical role in checking executive overreach. Michael Popok’s legal breakdowns are thorough, emphasizing both the legal nuances and the broader political stakes, while celebrating a momentary preservation of due process and central banking autonomy.

Listeners are left with the sense that the stakes remain high, further legal drama is imminent, and the courts continue to be a decisive arena in the fight over American institutions.