Judicial Ruling Empowers Presidential Authority Over Federal Labor Boards

A U.S. appeals court ruled that President Trump could fire Democratic members of federal labor boards, challenging agency independence. The ruling argued that such agencies should be accountable to the president, while a dissent called it a threat to agency independence. The decision affects federal employee recourse.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has handed President Donald Trump a significant victory in his efforts to exert control over federal labor boards. A 2-1 decision announced on Friday supports the president's power to dismiss Democratic members from these independent federal agencies.

The court ruled that federal laws protecting National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and Merit Systems Protection Board members from being removed outside of specific causes are unconstitutional. Circuit Judge Gregory Katsas, appointed by Trump, argued that such agencies exercise substantial executive power and should be accountable to the president.

In contrast, Circuit Judge Florence Pan, appointed by President Joe Biden, warned that this ruling could undermine the independence of various U.S. agencies. This contentious decision follows Trump's actions to reshape federal agencies by removing officials and could lead to broader implications for presidential control over federal regulation.