Gwynne Wilcox, who was removed from her position on the National Labor Relations Board by President Donald Trump, has filed a federal lawsuit against Trump and Marvin Kaplan, the new chairman of the NLRB. The lawsuit alleges that her firing was illegal and, if upheld, could set limits on Trump's efforts to reshape federal agencies.
Wilcox, the first Black woman to serve on the board and as its chair, claims that her dismissal by Trump violated the law, which allows the removal of board members only for 'neglect of duty or malfeasance in office but for no other cause.' The law also mandates that removal should occur only after notice and a hearing. Wilcox's lawsuit asserts that Trump's firing provided no cause for his action and was carried out without prior notice or a hearing.
This move by Trump marks the first time in the NLRB's 90-year history that a sitting board member has been removed by a president. Wilcox's removal has left the NLRB without the necessary quorum to conduct business related to enforcing the nation's labor laws.
Additionally, Elon Musk's company SpaceX is currently in court seeking to have the agency declared unconstitutional, further adding to the legal complexities surrounding the NLRB's operations.
