DC Court Reinstates Trump-Fired Agency Heads

A federal appeals court reinstated two independent agency heads, Cathy Harris and Gwynne Wilcox, after they were fired by President Donald Trump, potentially setting the stage for a Supreme Court battle over presidential powers. The 7-4 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia reversed an earlier ruling that allowed Trump to remove them, citing a 90-year-old precedent from Humphrey's Executor that protects agency officials from being fired without cause. This ruling is seen as a temporary victory for Harris and Wilcox, both appointed by Joe Biden, as the Trump administration plans to challenge the precedent at the Supreme Court. The case underscores the tension between executive authority and the independence of federal agencies, with implications for how presidents can reshape government bureaucracy. The majority of judges emphasized the importance of following Supreme Court precedent until it is potentially overturned. The case continues as part of broader efforts by Trump to assert greater control over independent agencies.