Court Ruling Empowers Trump to Dismiss Labor Board Members

A U.S. appeals court ruled that President Trump could dismiss Democratic members of the National Labor Relations Board and Merit Systems Protection Board, invalidating laws protecting them from removal without cause. This decision enhances presidential control over federal agencies traditionally independent from the White House.

A pivotal U.S. appeals court decision has granted President Donald Trump the authority to remove Democratic members from the National Labor Relations Board and Merit Systems Protection Board. The ruling, a significant win for Trump, challenges the independent nature of these federal agencies.

In a 2-1 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit determined that federal statutes, which state board members can only be removed for cause, conflict with constitutional principles. As agencies possessing considerable executive power, they must remain accountable to the president, according to Circuit Judge Gregory Katsas, a Trump appointee.

This decision reverses lower court rulings that had previously reinstated board members Cathy Harris and Gwynne Wilcox. The outcome may redefine presidential authority as the Supreme Court prepares to address a similar issue involving the Federal Trade Commission.