Trump v. Cook · ¶162

This Court has therefore long held, in categorical terms, that “a court of equity” “has no jurisdiction” over “the removal of public officers.” In re Sawyer, 124 U. S., at 210. “‘[A] court of equity will not, by injunction, restrain an executive officer from making a wrongful removal.’” White v. Berry, 171 U. S. 366, 377 (1898); accord, Harkrader v. Wadley, 172 U. S. 148, 165 (1898) (“The general rule, both in England and in this country, is that courts of equity have no jurisdiction . . . over the appointment and removal of public officers”). Under this Court’s precedents, the District Court therefore lacked authority to enter the relief it provided: a “preliminary injunction” allowing Cook to exercise official powers after the President removed her. 804 F. Supp. 3d, at 44.

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