Trump leaves Dem-led watchdog 'paralyzed' after firing spree: report

President Donald Trump left the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board — an independent civil liberties watchdog — "paralyzed" on Monday after firing three of its members who were selected by Democrats, according to The New York Times.

This comes after the new MAGA administration earlier today fired "more than a dozen" prosecutors on Special Counsel Jack Smith's team.

Per the Times, Sharon Bradford Franklin, Edward W. Felten and Travis LeBlanc were all ordered to leave their posts following Trump's inauguration last week, and notified that refusal to do so would result in their dismissals by the president.

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However, because the members had not received further word on the matter, according to the report, the trio remained in their positions as of Friday, January 24, "when the board released a long-in-the-works study of terrorism watchlists, which keep people off planes or subject them to extra screening at airports."

Then, on Monday, Trump White House official Trent Morse emailed the employees confirming their firing.

Per the report, "The New York Times reviewed one of the emails, and Mr. LeBlanc confirmed that all three had been fired. Others spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter."

The New York Times' full report is available at this link (subscription required).