For the first time in history, the U.S. president has fired the NLRB’s sitting general counsel. On Jan. 20, 2021, President Joe Biden dismissed Peter Robb after Robb refused to resign.

General counsel appointments are subject to a Senate confirmation hearing and the position is bestowed a four-year term. The general counsel investigates unfair labor practice charges and brings administrative complaints before the NLRB as well as representing the Board before federal courts when called upon by the NLRB.

Deputy General Counsel Alice Stock was briefly designated acting general counsel of the agency on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, but she was also terminated by the new president by the end of the day.

In addition to Robb’s removal, President Biden named NLRB Member Lauren McFerran, the only Democratic member of the Board, as the chairperson, replacing previous Chairman John Ring. The president has the opportunity to fill one vacant seat on the Board at present and will have the same chance again in August when Member William Emanuel’s term expires. Both appointments will require Senate confirmation.