Civitas Outlook
Topic
Constitutionalism
Published on
December 10, 2025
Contributors
Richard Epstein
Episode 11
The Libertarian

Can the President Fire Anyone? SCOTUS Hears Arguments in Trump v. Slaughter

About this episode

Richard Epstein does a deep into the Supreme Court’s latest showdown: Trump v. Slaughter, a case that could redefine presidential removal power and the future of independent agencies like the FTC. Epstein walks through the constitutional history — from the Founding to Humphrey’s Executor to modern administrative courts — and explains how the Court’s interpretation of Article II has evolved, splintered, and in some cases contradicted itself. The conversation covers everything from the steel-seizure precedent to the Federal Reserve, the structure of the administrative state, and the unresolved tension between originalism and the practical realities of modern governance. Epstein explains why this case could be one of the most consequential constitutional questions of our time.

All other episodes on

The Libertarian

Trump and Executive Power

Episode #2 of the The Libertarian with Richard Epstein, hosted by Charles C.W. Cooke.

EP2

Israel vs. New York Times

Episode 3 of The Libertarian with Richard Epstein and Charles C.W. Cooke.

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Aug 7, 2025

Surf’s Up: Roman Law and Beach Houses

Episode 4 of The Libertarian with Richard Epstein and Charles C.W. Cooke

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Aug 21, 2025

Posse Comitatus: Trump, Troops, and the Limits of Presidential Power

Episode 5 of The Libertarian with Richard Epstein and Charles C.W. Cooke

EP5

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