The federal government employs millions of people across a huge range of subjects. Who is in charge of them? Does the President, and the White House, ultimately have total control over the entire executive branch? Or are there aspects of the bureaucracy that are, or should be, outside of presidential control? 

To try to find out the answers to those questions. I’m here with two of my colleagues at the University of Chicago – Jennifer Nou, the Ruth Wyatt Rosenson Professor of Law in the law school, and Jon Rogowski, a professor in the department of political science. Jennifer is an expert in administrative law and the separation of powers, as well as a former senior advisor at the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in the executive branch. Jon is an expert in American politics, the growth of the beauracy, and the presidency. He is the author of a book, No Blank Check: The Origins and Consequences of Public Antipathy towards Presidential Power (with Andrew Reeves).

I brought them here to discuss the legal and political relationships that matter in the executive branch. I will add that this is an area that has recently been before the Supreme Court, in a decision called Trump v. Wilcox that stopped a member of the National Labor Relations Board and a member of the Merit Systems Protection Board from reclaiming office after they will controversially removed by President Trump. And as we discuss, I think these issues will be back in front of the Court soon, so we conclude by talking about what may happen, and it what it will mean.

Have a listen.