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Harris v. Bessent (2025 Merit Board, DC)

No. 1:25-cv-00412 District · Decided Decided
Court
D.D.C.
dcd
Judge
Rudolph Contreras 44
Decided
Mar 4, 2025
Filed
Feb 11, 2025
Judge (CL)
Rudolph Contreras 44
Filed (CL)
Feb 11, 2025
CL Status
terminated

Case Overview

Cathy Harris, a member of the Merit Systems Protection Board, sued the Trump administration after being fired by President Trump.

The Application

History

Harris was removed from her MSPB position by President Trump without the administration establishing or alleging cause under the statute. The court evaluated whether the President's removal action complied with the statutory 'for cause' requirement and whether that requirement constitutionally limits the President's removal power.

The Conclusion

The court determined the lawfulness of the President's removal of Harris, resolving the central dispute over whether the statutory restriction on removal of MSPB members is binding on the executive branch.

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Docket

CourtListener ↗

Outcome History (4)

  1. Feb 18, 2025 District
    TRO granted Partial relief

    Granting of emergency motion for temporary restraining order.

  2. Feb 20, 2025 District
    Stay denied Relief denied

    Denial of motion to stay temporary restraining order.

  3. Mar 4, 2025 District
    Merits judgment Full relief Final

    Granting of plaintiff's motion for summary judgment and granting declaratory and injunctive relief.

  4. Mar 5, 2025 District
    Stay denied Relief denied

    Denial of motion to stay order pending appeal.

Federal Court TMR-e2c84649 Firing of MSPB Member May 16, 2026

Case Analysis

Issue

Whether the President possessed authority under the Constitution and applicable federal law to remove Cathy Harris from her position on the Merit Systems Protection Board without establishing cause as required by statute.

Rule

5 U.S.C. § 1205 provides that MSPB members may be removed only for cause. Statutory removal restrictions limiting presidential authority over certain executive and quasi-judicial positions have been upheld against constitutional challenge as valid exercises of congressional power.

Analysis

Harris was removed from her MSPB position by President Trump without the administration establishing or alleging cause under the statute. The court evaluated whether the President's removal action complied with the statutory 'for cause' requirement and whether that requirement constitutionally limits the President's removal power.

Conclusion

The court determined the lawfulness of the President's removal of Harris, resolving the central dispute over whether the statutory restriction on removal of MSPB members is binding on the executive branch.

Overview

Cathy Harris, a member of the Merit Systems Protection Board, sued the Trump administration after being fired by President Trump.

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