Independent agency heads are temporarily ordered to be reinstated.
The District of Columbia U.S. Court of Appeals overturned a lower court ruling that approved the firing of two independent agency leaders by President Trump’s administration. The order temporarily reinstates them to their posts in the Merit Systems Protection Board and National Labor Relations Board, respectively, while the legal case plays out.
The agency heads each sued the administration after they were terminated from their posts without explanation. They claimed this violated a law requiring any firings to be justified by “inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office.” The administration argued that the removal protections themselves are unconstitutional.
The appellate court cited the Supreme Court’s 90-year precedent supporting removal protections. “The Supreme Court has repeatedly told the courts of appeals to follow extant Supreme Court precedent unless and until that Court itself changes it or overturns it,” reads the court’s unsigned ruling.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For discernment for the judges in the federal judiciary as they hear cases regarding executive authority and workforce reduction.
- For wisdom for President Trump and members of his administration as they seek to reduce the federal workforce and replace agency officials.
Sources: The Hill, CNN, MSN
