In a recent ruling, US District Judge Beryl Howell deemed President Donald Trump’s firing of former National Labor Relations Board chairwoman, Gwynne Wilcox, as illegal. This decision marks the third time in a week that federal judges in Washington, DC have found Trump’s dismissal of officials heading independent agencies to be unlawful. Howell’s scathing critique highlighted Trump’s violation of the law in attempting to remove Wilcox without proper cause or procedure.
Despite the ruling reinstating Wilcox as a board member, Marvin Kaplan, Trump’s choice for NLRB chair, remains in charge. Howell emphasized the importance of checks and balances, stating that the President’s power to remove federal officers is not absolute and must adhere to statutory limitations.
Wilcox’s lawsuit against Trump and Kaplan argued that her firing went against federal law, which allows removal of board members only for specific reasons and after due process. Howell concurred, asserting that Wilcox should continue serving on the NLRB until her term expires unless removed for valid reasons following proper procedure.
The dispute also highlighted policy differences, as Wilcox’s rules, which Trump criticized, aimed to protect workers’ rights during union organizing votes. This case adds to a series of legal challenges against Trump’s dismissals of agency heads, underscoring the importance of upholding legal frameworks in executive actions.
The evolving legal landscape surrounding these dismissals underscores the critical role of judicial oversight in preserving the separation of powers and upholding the rule of law.
