D.C. Appeals Court Questions Trump’s Authority to Fire Independent Agency Leaders

Judges express skepticism over claims that statutory protections for agency heads are unconstitutional, citing longstanding Supreme Court precedent.

President Trump’s removal of Gwynne Wilcox (NLRB) and Cathy Harris (MSPB) has sparked a significant legal battle over presidential power and agency independence.
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments on whether Trump’s actions complied with Supreme Court precedent, but has yet to issue a ruling.
The Trump administration argues that the president’s Article II powers grant unrestricted authority to remove agency leaders, overriding statutory protections.
Judges on the appeals panel highlighted that Supreme Court precedent still supports statutory removal protections, emphasizing their role as a lower court bound by such precedent.
Legal experts anticipate the case will likely advance to the Supreme Court, with potential implications for the autonomy of federal agencies and the scope of executive authority.