Scott Detrow

The choice to unilaterally dissolve a federal agency, one established by Congress, was a shock to Washington. But the concept at the heart of it, that the president has broad authority to act unilaterally without consequence, that the executive branch should reflect his priorities, stems from one idea, the unitary executive theory.

It is an idea at the heart of a recent landmark Supreme Court ruling, Trump versus the United States, the immunity decision. And it is an idea that we are going to explore on this episode of Supreme Consequences, a series about the real world impacts of the Supreme Court's rulings. One consequence for many federal workers, career stability.

It is an idea at the heart of a recent landmark Supreme Court ruling, Trump versus the United States, the immunity decision. And it is an idea that we are going to explore on this episode of Supreme Consequences, a series about the real world impacts of the Supreme Court's rulings. One consequence for many federal workers, career stability.

It is an idea at the heart of a recent landmark Supreme Court ruling, Trump versus the United States, the immunity decision. And it is an idea that we are going to explore on this episode of Supreme Consequences, a series about the real world impacts of the Supreme Court's rulings. One consequence for many federal workers, career stability.

And her family's well-being.

And her family's well-being.

And her family's well-being.

In the past month, two federal judges have ordered federal agencies to reinstate thousands of federal employees, including those at USDA. decisions the Trump administration strongly disagrees with and is appealing. And that has led to a stressful state of limbo. For the time being, they have jobs, but only until the appeals process plays out.

In the past month, two federal judges have ordered federal agencies to reinstate thousands of federal employees, including those at USDA. decisions the Trump administration strongly disagrees with and is appealing. And that has led to a stressful state of limbo. For the time being, they have jobs, but only until the appeals process plays out.

In the past month, two federal judges have ordered federal agencies to reinstate thousands of federal employees, including those at USDA. decisions the Trump administration strongly disagrees with and is appealing. And that has led to a stressful state of limbo. For the time being, they have jobs, but only until the appeals process plays out.

It's not clear to the employee we talk to or others whether this is permanent or just another few weeks. The legal back and forths center on questions about the limits of President Trump's power, power that the Trump administration is testing on a number of fronts.

It's not clear to the employee we talk to or others whether this is permanent or just another few weeks. The legal back and forths center on questions about the limits of President Trump's power, power that the Trump administration is testing on a number of fronts.

It's not clear to the employee we talk to or others whether this is permanent or just another few weeks. The legal back and forths center on questions about the limits of President Trump's power, power that the Trump administration is testing on a number of fronts.

After the break, had the unitary executive theory made its way from an idea in the Reagan administration all the way up through the courts? We'll be right back. President Trump's drastic moves to reshape the U.S. government stem from a core idea that the executive branch should enjoy broad, sweeping power.

After the break, had the unitary executive theory made its way from an idea in the Reagan administration all the way up through the courts? We'll be right back. President Trump's drastic moves to reshape the U.S. government stem from a core idea that the executive branch should enjoy broad, sweeping power.

After the break, had the unitary executive theory made its way from an idea in the Reagan administration all the way up through the courts? We'll be right back. President Trump's drastic moves to reshape the U.S. government stem from a core idea that the executive branch should enjoy broad, sweeping power.

It is a power that was expanded by the Supreme Court last summer through its ruling in Trump versus the United States, the immunity case.

It is a power that was expanded by the Supreme Court last summer through its ruling in Trump versus the United States, the immunity case.

It is a power that was expanded by the Supreme Court last summer through its ruling in Trump versus the United States, the immunity case.

The decision came down to a key question that has big implications on topics far beyond the criminal case at the heart of it. When a president does something that is potentially illegal while executing his duties, who or what can regulate his actions? Who can hold him accountable? These questions have come up a lot in the first weeks of Trump's second term in different contexts.