← Legal Glossary
For-cause removal
Definition
A statutory restriction meaning the president can only fire an official for a specific reason (cause) rather than at will. The central dispute in this case is what 'cause' means—whether it is as broad as any misconduct or as narrow as inefficiency, neglect, or malfeasance.
Examples
- •The Federal Reserve Act allows the president to remove governors only 'for cause,' which Cook argues means the same as the INM standard used for other independent agencies.