US appeals court orders Trump administration to reinstate intelligence officers

A U.S. federal appeals court has ordered the Trump administration to reinstate 19 career intelligence officers who were dismissed over temporary assignments related to diversity initiatives, ruling that the agencies failed to respect the employees' constitutional due process rights.

In a 2-1 decision, a three-judge panel found that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not follow their own regulations when terminating the officers, NBC News reports. 

The intelligence officers had argued that their dismissals were “arbitrary” and “unsupported by any evidentiary record whatsoever.” They also contended that they should have been reassigned rather than punished for carrying out duties assigned under the previous administration.

Lawyers representing the Trump administration argued that CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte had broad authority to dismiss intelligence personnel with or without cause.

Kevin Carroll, the attorney representing the officers, welcomed the ruling.

“We are gratified by the Court of Appeals upholding the District Court’s injunction. Intelligence officers have due process rights, too,” Carroll said in a statement.

He added that the two agency leaders now “ought to get these good Americans back to work for our country.”

The appeals court said the central issue was whether agency regulations entitled employees to be considered for reassignment and to appeal dismissal decisions.

“We find that it does,” the court wrote.

It remains unclear when the affected intelligence officers will return to work or receive new assignments. The Trump administration is expected to appeal the decision.

The CIA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

By Sabina Mammadli