Federal judge stops Trump from firing privacy board members
- A federal judge ruled that President Trump's attempted firings of board members undermined independent oversight.
- This move was challenged legally by two members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board.
- The ruling indicated a crucial check on presidential power, ensuring the board's function remains intact.
In early February, President Donald Trump attempted to fire all three Democratic members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, leaving only one Republican member remaining. Following this decision, two of the dismissed members, Travis LeBlanc and Edward Felten, filed a lawsuit arguing that their firings lacked just cause, which is critical for the independent board's functionality. They contended that the board's purpose is to oversee the Executive Branch's counterterrorism actions effectively without becoming subject to executive control. Their lawsuit proved successful when U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton ruled against Trump's unilateral removal authority, emphasizing that such actions would undermine the board's intended independence and oversight responsibilities. This decision marked a significant check on executive power, suggesting that the oversight body must remain functional and bipartisan to uphold its essential role defined by Congress. Furthermore, this ruling not only reinstated the fired members but also reinforced the necessity for cause in the termination of independent agency officials, reflecting a broader interpretation of constitutional protections. In a complementary case, the Supreme Court later declined to reinstate two additional independent agency board members removed by Trump, further complicating the administration's approach to oversight bodies.