A federal judge on Wednesday ruled that President Donald Trump improperly fired the head of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, a labor board, stating federal law meant the leader was protected from termination without cause.

The ruling comes a week after a different judge sided with another labor board, ruling that Trump lacked the authority to dismiss the board member. She has since been reinstated. 

U.S. District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan rejected the White House's argument that removal protections are unconstitutional, stating that Supreme Court verdicts in the past have proved otherwise.

“The Government’s arguments paint with a broad brush and threaten to upend fundamental protections in our Constitution. But ours is not an autocracy; it is a system of checks and balances,” Sooknanan wrote. “A straightforward reading of Supreme Court precedent thus resolves the merits of this case."

The judge also pushed back on accusations from the Justice Department that she lacked the authority to enter injunctive relief reinstating FLRA chair Susan Grundmann, and is limited to awarding back pay. Sooknanan said she does have the authority because the case was about more than a paycheck. 

Grundmann's attorney, Norm Eisen, praised the verdict in a statement, reported by The Hill.

“Another illegal action by the Trump administration has been struck down," he said. "This is an important win for the American people."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.