Wiener v. United States
"Wiener v. United States" is a significant Supreme Court case that addresses the scope of presidential authority regarding the removal of appointed officials, particularly those in quasi-judicial roles. The case arose when Wiener, appointed by President Harry S. Truman to the War Claims Commission, was asked to resign by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. Following his removal, Wiener sought back pay, leading to a legal challenge after the Court of Claims dismissed his suit.
The Supreme Court's decision in this case reaffirmed the precedent set in "Humphrey's Executor v. United States," which differentiated between the removal powers related to executive officials and those holding quasi-judicial positions. The Court ultimately ruled that while the president has broad authority to remove executive branch officials, such powers are limited when it comes to quasi-judicial officials like Wiener. As a result, the Court ruled in favor of Wiener, granting him back pay due to the nature of his appointment. This case illustrates the ongoing debate regarding the balance of power between the presidency and appointed officials within the federal government.
Wiener v. United States
Date: June 30, 1958
Citation: 357 U.S. 349
Issue: Presidential powers
Significance: Upheld a broad presidential power over removal of executive officials but limited removal of quasi-judicial officials
In Myers v. United States (1926), the Supreme Court upheld a virtually unchecked presidential power to remove officials, but this power had been limited by Humphrey’s Executor v. United States (1935), in which the Court permitted Congress to set some limits for quasi-judicial or quasi-legislative officials. Harry S Truman had appointed Wiener to the War Claims Commission. The length of his appointment had no limits, but President Dwight D. Eisenhower asked him to step down in 1953. After being removed by Eisenhower, Wiener filed suit, asking for back pay. The court of claims dismissed his suit. The Supreme Court followed Humphrey’s Executor and upheld a broad presidential authority to remove executive branch officials but limited the removal of quasi-judicial officials. Because Wiener’s post was quasi-judicial, the Court found in his favor and granted back pay.
