A federal judge has reinstated a Merit Systems Protection Board member, Cathy Harris, ruling that President Donald Trump did not have the authority to remove her without justification. The case highlights a constitutional clash between the branches of government, with Trump asserting the power to hire and fire executive branch employees while Congress sets limits on removing leaders of independent agencies.
Harris, appointed to protect federal civil service workers, was notified of her immediate termination by Trump without explanation, leading to her lawsuit to retain her position. U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras emphasized that Trump could not remove Harris without valid cause, as outlined in the governing statute.
The lawsuit is part of a series challenging Trump’s orders to reduce the federal workforce and remove specific officials, particularly those involved in hearing workforce disputes. With Harris reinstated, the Merit Systems Protection Board now has one Democrat and one Republican member, requiring both to constitute a quorum due to the departure of the third member.
Additionally, unions are contesting Trump’s buyout offer, which 75,000 workers have accepted, and individuals affected by agency dismantling, such as the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, are fighting their dismissals. The reinstatement of Harris marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battles surrounding workforce issues under the Trump administration.
