A federal judge in Washington has ruled that President Donald Trump did not have the authority to fire a member of the board responsible for overseeing federal government employees.
Merit Systems Protection Board member Cathy Harris sued to keep her job after the White House told her last month her position would be terminated. U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras ruled that the president doesn’t have the power to remove Harris from office “at will.” Government attorneys argue the court doesn’t have the authority to reinstate Harris or bar Trump from replacing her on the board.
Harris was nominated by Joe Biden in January 2022 for a term not set to expire until March 2028. The ruling says Harris must now remain in the role through the end of her term, unless she is removed for cause.
