WASHINGTON, D.C. — Susan Tsui Grundmann has moved to dismiss her lawsuit challenging her removal by President Trump from her position on the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), an independent federal agency that adjudicates labor management disputes between federal agencies, unions and employees.

Early last February, President Trump removed Grundmann in direct violation of the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute, which permits the President to remove a member “only upon notice and hearing and only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.” President Trump never offered a reason for the removal nor did he provide her with the required notice and a hearing.

“When I brought my case, I had two goals—to vindicate the independence of the FLRA as Congress designed it and to provide service to the parties who appear before it,” said Ms. Grundmann. “I accomplished both goals. The district court found that the President violated the law and I was able to decide important federal labor relations matters for the next three months with my colleagues. It was a privilege to serve the labor relations community and the dedicated FLRA staff.”

Represented by Democracy Defenders Fund (DDF) and Justice Legal Strategies PLLC, Ms. Grundmann sued the President in federal district court for her illegal removal and prevailed, which enabled her to return to office for three months until the court of appeals temporarily stayed the relief. Her successor was confirmed by the Senate on December 18, 2025. Ms. Grundmann’s term expired on July 1, 2025, but under the Statute her tenure did not end until her successor was confirmed.

"The removal of Susan Tsui Grundmann was unlawful and did a grave disservice to the hundreds of thousands of federal employees who counted on the FLRA functioning properly and fairly,” said Amb. Norm Eisen (ret) , executive chair of DDF. “While we are now dismissing this case, the fight to defend our nation’s federal employees, independent agencies and the rule of law is far from over. The President and his administration must not be allowed to continue to run roughshod over independent agencies and the law.”

“It was an honor to represent Susan Tsui Grundmann in this important case to challenge her illegal removal and the rights of independent agency commissioners,” said Jon Greenbaum, founder of Justice Legal Strategies PLLC. “Congress recognized the importance of having independent agency adjudicators decide cases where the federal government represents one side and, as the district court found, the President could not legally remove Ms. Grundmann by whim.”

Earlier today, The Contrarian published a piece, The End of the Lawsuit But Not the End of the Fight, on Grundmann’s challenge

###

Democracy Defenders Fund brings together a nonpartisan team to work with national, state and local allies across the country to defend in real-time the foundations of our democracy.