Judges Push Back Against Trump's Board Member Fires

The legal battle over presidential power is heating up. A recent ruling by an appeals court has allowed two board members, fired by former President Trump, to return to their jobs temporarily. This decision sets the stage for a potential showdown at the Supreme Court. The court's decision hinges on a 90-year-old ruling. This old ruling, known as Humphrey's Executor, states that presidents can't fire independent board members without a valid reason. This has long been a point of contention among conservative legal experts, who argue that it limits the president's authority. The court was split in its decision. Seven judges, all appointed by Democratic presidents, voted in favor of the ruling. Four judges, including three appointed by Trump, dissented. The vote was even closer when it came to pausing the decision for a week to allow Trump's administration to appeal to the Supreme Court. The two board members in question were fired from agencies that deal with labor issues. Cathy Harris was fired from the Merit Systems Protection Board, which reviews disputes from federal workers. Gwynne Wilcox was fired from the National Labor Relations Board, which resolves unfair labor practice cases. Both board members were nominated by former President Joe Biden. The Trump administration has argued that the president has the power to remove these board members. They claim that reinstating them would undermine the president's authority. However, the board members' attorneys argue that Trump cannot fire them without notice, a hearing, or identifying any misconduct on their part. The outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications. It could shape the balance of power between the president and independent agencies. It could also impact the future of the federal workforce, as Trump had planned to downsize it dramatically. The Supreme Court's conservative majority may be poised to overturn the old ruling. This could lead to a significant shift in presidential power. However, it remains to be seen how the court will rule on this matter. The legal battle over presidential power is far from over. As the case moves forward, it will be interesting to see how the Supreme Court weighs in on this contentious issue. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for the balance of power in the U. S. government.