A federal judge ruled Thursday that President Donald Trump unlawfully removed Gwynne Wilcox from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), calling the action “null and void”.
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell criticized Trump for “pushing the bounds of his office”, stating his firing of Wilcox violated statutory protections. Wilcox, the first Black woman on the board, was confirmed in 2023 for a five-year term, but her removal left the NLRB without a quorum to conduct business.
Wilcox’s lawyers argued her firing was a “blatant violation” of the National Labor Relations Act, which allows removal only for neglect of duty or malfeasance. The Justice Department defended Trump’s authority, claiming the NLRB’s powers fall under the executive branch.
Howell’s ruling marks the third time courts have ruled against Trump’s firings of independent agency members, following similar cases involving Hampton Dellinger and Cathy Harris. The Supreme Court may ultimately decide the issue, with Howell calling her court “merely a speed bump” on the road to a larger legal showdown.
Source(s)
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
