A federal judge in Washington, D.C. has ordered the temporary reinstatement of Democrat Cathy Harris, who was fired by President Donald Trump from her position as the chair of the Merit Systems Protection Board. The judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from removing Harris while he considers her lawsuit challenging the legality of her termination. Harris’ removal is part of a pattern where chairs or members of independent agency boards have been fired by Trump since he took office, leading to legal battles over the president’s powers in these circumstances. The judge ruled that Trump likely violated the federal law by firing Harris without proper cause, as outlined in the legislation governing the board. The White House and the Department of Justice have not commented on the ruling. Harris was appointed by Biden in 2022 and served as chair until Trump took office. Trump’s removal of Harris left the board with a 1-1 split, impacting its ability to decide cases. The judge’s decision to reinstate Harris as chair will allow the board to maintain a quorum and continue its operations. The case is expected to set a precedent regarding the president’s authority over independent government agencies.
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