Washington: In a highly controversial and unprecedented decision, President Donald Trump has dismissed two Democratic members of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency responsible for enforcing workplace discrimination laws.
Commissioners Jocelyn Samuels and Charlotte Burrows confirmed late Monday that they had been removed from their posts by Trump, along with the EEOC’s general counsel, Karla Gilbride. This marks the first time in history that a sitting president has fired EEOC commissioners, who traditionally serve staggered five-year terms to maintain the agency's independence.
A White House official justified the decision, claiming the commissioners held "radical" views on labor laws and were responsible for policies that Trump’s administration aims to dismantle. The official stated that their approach to sex discrimination and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives conflicted with Trump’s stance, particularly his recent efforts to eliminate DEI programs in federal agencies.
Samuels and Burrows criticized their removal, arguing that it would hinder the EEOC’s mission to protect workers from discrimination and support employer compliance with federal employment laws. The firings also leave the agency without a quorum, rendering it unable to issue rulings, set policy, or direct staff actions.
It remains unclear whether Kalpana Kotagal, the third Democratic commissioner, has also been removed. Trump has appointed Andrea Lucas, the EEOC’s lone Republican member, as acting chair.
The decision follows similar actions at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), where Trump recently dismissed a Democratic member and the agency’s general counsel, leaving the board unable to rule on numerous pending cases.
Samuels and Burrows are reportedly exploring legal options to challenge their terminations, which they say undermine the EEOC’s role as an independent agency.
