In a surprising move, President Trump fired several key officials from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (E.E.O.C.) late Monday night. Among those removed were commissioners Charlotte Burrows and Jocelyn Samuels, as well as the agency’s general counsel, Karla Gilbride.

These dismissals could leave the E.E.O.C. without enough members to make formal decisions, potentially disrupting its ability to handle workplace discrimination cases. Both Burrows and Samuels had confirmed terms lasting through 2026 and 2027, respectively. Their abrupt removal raises questions about the limits of presidential authority.

This shake-up is part of a broader series of actions taken by the Trump administration since he returned to office on January 20. Many of these moves appear to target diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which Trump and his allies have criticized as “woke policies.”

The E.E.O.C. isn’t the only agency affected. The National Labor Relations Board also saw its general counsel and a commissioner ousted on the same night, leaving it in a similar state of uncertainty.

Burrows, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, expressed disappointment, noting she still had three years left in her term. The firings have sparked concerns about the future of workers’ rights and the direction of federal employment policies under the new administration.

As these changes unfold, many are watching closely to see how these agencies will operate—or if they can operate at all.