Judge: Trump’s CPSC Firings Were Illegal, Members to Return
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Court Orders Reinstatement of Biden-Nominated Officials, Rejecting Trump’s Actions
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2024 – Time.news Staff.
In a rebuke to the previous administration, a federal judge has declared President Trump’s dismissal of three Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) members unlawful, ordering their immediate reinstatement.
- A federal judge deemed the Trump administration’s firings of three CPSC members illegal.
- The court ordered the reinstatement of Mary Boyle, Alexander Hoehn-Saric, and Richard Trumka Jr.
- The ruling challenges Trump’s efforts to remove Democratic appointees from independent agencies.
In a notable legal challenge to the Trump administration,U.S. District Judge Matthew Maddox ruled Friday that President Trump’s firings of three Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) members were unlawful, clearing the path for their return to their positions.
The ruling and Its Implications
Judge Maddox, a Biden appointee presiding in Maryland, has instructed the administration to restore the commissioners’ pay, office access, computers and email accounts. The three commissioners-Mary Boyle, Alexander Hoehn-Saric, and Richard Trumka Jr.-launched legal action after trump ousted them last month.
This decision represents another setback for Trump’s strategy of purging Democratic appointees from independent agencies, despite federal laws designed to shield them from removal without just cause. The former president never articulated specific reasons for the CPSC members’ dismissals, nor for those at other agencies.His administration sought to dismantle these protections,arguing they infringed on presidential authority over the executive branch.
The Supreme Court’s position on these matters has been nuanced. While a conservative majority has signaled a willingness to side with the Trump administration’s outlook, the 90-year-old precedent empowering Congress to establish removal protections remains formally unchallenged.
Supreme Court Precedent and Future Actions
The Supreme Court previously lifted lower court injunctions related to Trump’s firings at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). That decision allowed the agency leaders to be terminated while appeals were pending. Judge Maddox acknowledged the Supreme Court’s action but distinguished it from his current case, emphasizing the unique circumstances of the NLRB and MSPB proceedings.
“Disruption might have resulted in the instant case if Plaintiffs had been reinstated while this case was in its preliminary posture, only to have the Court later deny relief in its final judgment and subject Plaintiffs to removal again,” the judge wrote. “The risk of such disruption is no longer a factor now that the Court is granting permanent injunctive relief as a final judgment.”
The Justice Department has been contacted for comment on the ruling.
what did the judge rule regarding the Trump administration’s actions? The judge ruled the firings of three CPSC members were illegal and ordered their reinstatement, challenging the former president’s efforts to remove Democratic appointees.
Reactions to the Court’s Decision
“Today’s opinion reaffirms that the President is not above the law,” said Nick Sansone, the led counsel representing the commissioners and working for consumer advocacy group Public Citizen, in a statement. he added, “Congress structured the CPSC as an independent agency so that the safety of American consumers wouldn’t be subject to political whims and industry pressure. The court’s ruling upholds that sound legislative choice.”
“We are thrilled that our clients can get back to work keeping us safe from hazardous products,” Sansone continued.
