US EditionJudge finds Trump’s firing of Democrats on privacy oversight board unlawful
- On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton ruled that President Trump had unlawfully dismissed two opposition party appointees from the federal board responsible for overseeing privacy and civil liberties.
- The firings occurred in January despite the board’s congressionally intended independence, aiming to restrict presidential removal powers and ensure oversight integrity.
- Walton emphasized that allowing at-will removal would make the board subordinate to the executive branch it is charged with overseeing on behalf of Congress and the public.
- He ordered reinstatement of Travis LeBlanc and Ed Felten, barred removal without cause, and noted the ruling may influence other independent agency firings amid ongoing disputes.
- The decision restores the board’s quorum necessary for its congressional duties, including oversight of counterterrorism policies balanced with privacy protections established after 9/11.
41 Articles
41 Articles
Colorado Springs Gazette
WTVBUS Copyright Office director sues Trump administration over firing
By Blake Brittain
US federal judge rules civil liberties oversight board members were improperly fired
A US federal judge ruled Wednesday that President Donald Trump broke the law when he fired members of an independent civil liberties watchdog board without cause in January. US District Court for the District of Columbia Senior Judge Reggie Walton further ordered the reinstatement of those challenging their removals in court. Plaintiffs Travis LeBlanc and Edward Felten received emails on January 21, 2025, from the Deputy Director of Presidential…
Trump’s Firings of Rights Watchdog Board Members Were Illegal, Judge Rules
A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that President Trump broke the law when he fired members of an independent civil liberties watchdog without cause in January, ordering the reinstatement of those challenging their removals in court. In a 71-page opinion, Judge Reggie B. Walton of the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia said that Mr. Trump’s dismissal of Democratic-selected members to the five-person Privacy and Civil Liberties O…
'Unfettered authority': Bush-appointee smacks down Trump's illegal firings
A federal judge found that President Donald Trump unlawfully ousted two Democratic members of a federal privacy oversight board, Politico reported Wednesday. District Court Judge Reggie Walton, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, ruled that Trump illegally fired Travis LeBlanc and Ed Felten from the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, according to the report. The judge also said the board’s "structure was intended to have a…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 79% of the sources are Center
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage
