Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer

Facing a nationwide steel strike during the Korean War, and believing reduced steel production would jeopardize national security, President Truman ordered Secretary of Commerce Sawyer (defendant) to seize and operate most of the nation's steel mills. Steel mill owners (plaintiffs) sued, arguing the seizure was an unconstitutional exercise of lawmaking power reserved to Congress; the district court agreed and enjoined the seizure, though the court of appeals stayed that injunction pending Supreme Court review.

Whether the President, under his constitutional executive powers, may issue an order directing the Secretary of Commerce to take possession of and operate most of the nation's steel mills.