The removal of Harris and Wilcox paralyzed both labor boards, which already had vacant seats, by depriving them of enough members to decide individual cases. The U.S. Senate in October confirmed a Trump nominee to the merit board, restoring a quorum of two members. A pair of nominees for NLRB seats are awaiting confirmation votes.

A panel of judges at the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals says the firings were lawful.