Divided Appeals Court Greenlights Trump Administration’s Dismissal of Labor and Merit Board Members Amid Ongoing Legal Battles

A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., has allowed the Trump administration to proceed with the dismissal of certain members from the National Labor Relations Board and the Merit Systems Protection Board. This decision comes after a district court had previously blocked these removals and ordered the reinstatement of the officials. The appeals court’s ruling was delivered by a three-judge panel, which was divided in a 2-1 decision.

The case involves the removal of Gwynne Wilcox from the National Labor Relations Board and Cathy Harris from the Merit Systems Protection Board. The Trump administration’s actions were initially halted by a district court, which issued a temporary restraining order earlier this month. This order was intended to prevent the expulsions while legal proceedings were ongoing.

In a related matter, the Trump administration has sought intervention from the Supreme Court to lift a lower court’s block on the deportations of Venezuelan detainees. This request was made following a presidential proclamation that aimed to use war powers to deport alleged gang members without hearings. The administration’s application to the Supreme Court included criticism of the district and appellate judges involved in the case.

The district court has extended its restraining order until at least April 12, maintaining the status quo while the legal challenges continue. The developments highlight ongoing legal battles over the administration’s efforts to implement its policies concerning board dismissals and deportations.