Judge Rules Trump’s Firing of Government Watchdog Was Unlawful, Setting Up Supreme Court Clash

A federal judge ruled that President Donald Trump’s attempt to remove Hampton Dellinger as head of the Office of Special Counsel was unlawful. The decision prevents Trump from ousting Dellinger before his term ends and is expected to reach the Supreme Court. Trump dismissed Dellinger via email as part of workforce cuts, but Dellinger challenged the move, citing legal protections against arbitrary removal. The judge blocked the firing, and the D.C. Circuit Court upheld the decision. The Justice Department argued that restricting Trump’s authority harms executive power. The Supreme Court has temporarily allowed Dellinger to remain in office. Dellinger warned that losing independence would deter whistleblowers. The White House has not yet commented, but the Trump administration has appealed.

Judge Rules Trump’s Firing of Government Watchdog Was Unlawful, Setting Up Supreme Court Clash

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., ruled on Saturday that President Donald Trump’s attempt to remove Hampton Dellinger as head of the Office of Special Counsel was unlawful. The decision prevents Trump from ousting Dellinger before the end of his term and is expected to lead to a Supreme Court battle.

In her ruling, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson emphasized the importance of the Special Counsel’s role in investigating unethical or illegal actions against federal employees and protecting whistleblowers from retaliation. She noted that allowing the president to arbitrarily remove the Special Counsel would undermine these protections.

Trump dismissed Dellinger via email last month as part of broader cuts to the federal workforce, which included the removal of nearly two dozen other government watchdogs. However, Dellinger challenged the termination, arguing that federal law permits the removal of a Special Counsel only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance. His lawsuit pointed out that the dismissal notice did not cite any such cause, stating simply that his position was “terminated, effective immediately.”

Jackson initially blocked the removal with a stay on February 10, later extending it with a temporary restraining order. When the Trump administration appealed, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upheld Jackson’s ruling in a 2-1 vote.

The Justice Department argued that restricting the president’s ability to dismiss executive officials infringes on the separation of powers and filed a petition with the Supreme Court to affirm Trump’s authority. However, the Supreme Court has thus far allowed Jackson’s ruling to stand, keeping Dellinger in his role while the case proceeds in lower courts.

Dellinger, who was appointed by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate to a five-year term in March 2024, has warned that permitting his removal without cause would weaken protections for federal employees. He stressed that if his independence is not safeguarded, whistleblowers may be reluctant to report wrongdoing.

Following the judge’s decision, the Trump administration immediately filed an appeal with the D.C. Circuit Court, seeking to overturn the ruling. The Justice Department has argued that restricting the president’s authority to remove officials undermines executive power and disrupts the administration’s ability to govern effectively.

Legal experts suggest that the case could have significant implications for the balance of power between the presidency and independent government agencies. Meanwhile, Dellinger has emphasized that maintaining his independence is crucial for ensuring federal employees feel safe reporting misconduct. Supporters of Dellinger argue that allowing the president to arbitrarily remove watchdog officials could set a dangerous precedent. The White House has not yet commented on the ruling, but political analysts expect the case to reach the Supreme Court.