Supreme Court allows Trump to fire independent agency members temporarily

In early April 2025, the Supreme Court took significant action regarding the Trump administration's attempts to remove two board members from independent agencies in the United States. The court issued an administrative stay that paused lower court orders reinstating Gwynne Wilcox, a member of the National Labor Relations Board, and Cathy Harris, a member of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued that the removals should be allowed to proceed, claiming the reinstatement harmed the president and the separation of powers. This decision reflects ongoing debates about presidential authority over independent agencies. The controversy began when both Wilcox and Harris were removed from their positions by Donald Trump soon after he assumed office. The two women challenged their firings, asserting that their removal violated federal laws which only permitted termination due to neglect of duty or malfeasance. Initial rulings from lower courts favored Harris and Wilcox, reinstating them to their respective roles after deeming their firings unlawful. Subsequently, the appellate court briefly reversed this decision, leading to the Supreme Court's intervention. The current case is significant not only due to the individuals involved but also because it raises broader constitutional questions about the extent of a president's power to control independent agencies. The Supreme Court's conservative majority has already displayed a willingness to limit protections afforded to officials at these agencies, contrasting decisions from earlier decades that upheld their independence. The case has the potential to reshape the legal landscape of executive authority in ways that could impact future administrations. As discussions about presidential power continue to evolve, this case exemplifies the ongoing tension between legislative protections for independent agency appointees and the executive branch's desire to maintain control over those agencies. Should the Supreme Court ultimately decide in favor of the Trump administration, it could signal a shift toward greater presidential authority that may challenge decades of precedent established to insulate independent agencies from direct political influence.