BALTIMORE — A federal judge has put a stop to President Donald Trump’s decision to terminate three Democratic members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. This decision, part of Trump’s broader effort to exert influence over independent federal bodies, has been overruled. The commission plays a crucial role in safeguarding consumers from hazardous products by initiating recalls and taking legal action against companies when necessary.
Last month, Trump made headlines by announcing the dismissal of these commissioners, who were appointed by President Joe Biden to serve seven-year terms on the five-member panel. After filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration, these commissioners received a favorable judgment last Friday, although the decision is likely to face an appeal.
The plaintiffs’ legal team argued that the case was straightforward. According to federal law, a president can only dismiss commissioners for “neglect of duty or malfeasance in office,” none of which were claimed against the ousted members. However, Trump’s legal advisors contended that this statute infringes on the president’s power, as they argue she has the right to remove federal employees wielding considerable executive authority, based on the court’s documentation.
Nonetheless, U.S. District Judge Matthew Maddox deemed the dismissals unlawful, ruling in favor of the plaintiffs. Earlier, Maddox had refused a temporary restraining order that would have temporarily reinstated them, a decision following the Supreme Court’s conservative standpoint allowing the president to remove board members at will. In a detailed written opinion, Maddox clarified that there was no constitutional issue with the statute preventing such dismissals and instructed that the commissioners be reinstated to their roles.
This ruling feeds into an ongoing debate about the 1935 Supreme Court precedent, Humphrey’s Executor, which restricts presidential power to oust independent board members without cause and reinforced the independence of federal regulatory bodies. This principle has been contentious among conservative theorists who believe such agencies should operate under presidential authority.
Recent court discussions highlighted the responsibilities and powers of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, questioning whether it indeed holds “substantial executive authority.” Judge Maddox, appointed by Biden, remarked on the complexity of precisely defining such roles. Additionally, he noted Trump’s departure from tradition by dismissing the three commissioners instead of following the standard procedure of appointing replacements when terms expire.
Abigail Stout, representing the Trump administration, posited that limiting the president’s ability to remove appointees infringes on his constitutional prerogative. In response to Trump’s action, four Democratic senators sent a letter urging the president to reconsider, stressing that such changes could undermine the nation’s data-driven approach to product safety regulation.
Established in 1972, the Consumer Product Safety Commission comprises five members, with no more than three from the president’s political party, ensuring diverse viewpoints and partial independence. The organizational framework allows a sitting president to have an influence without complete control over the body, an argument strongly made by the plaintiffs’ lawyers to highlight the potential threat to the commission’s autonomy posed by the recent terminations.
Nick Sansone, attorney for the ousted commissioners, welcomed the judge’s decision, stating in a public release, “Today’s opinion reaffirms that the President is not above the law.”