Court Rules Trump Can Fire NLRB, MSPB Leaders

A federal appeals court has ruled in favor of President Trump's authority to fire members of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), halting lower court decisions that had ordered their reinstatement. The 2-1 decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit allows Trump to proceed with the removals of Gwynne Wilcox and Cathy Harris, both Democratic appointees, while the legality of these firings is contested. Judge Justin Walker, appointed by Trump, asserted that the president must have control over the executive branch, arguing that the statutory protections against such removals are unconstitutional. The case is expected to escalate to the Supreme Court, potentially leading to a reevaluation of key precedents regarding presidential authority over independent agencies. Opposing views within the court highlighted concerns over undermining established legal protections for board members. The outcome could have significant implications for the balance of power between the presidency and independent federal agencies.