Appeals Court Temporarily Allows Trump to Fire Federal Whistleblower Watchdog

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted a lower court ruling, enabling President Trump to remove Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger as litigation continues.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit granted the Trump administration's request to stay a lower court ruling that reinstated Hampton Dellinger as head of the Office of Special Counsel.
Dellinger, appointed by President Biden in 2024, sued the Trump administration after being fired last month via email without cause, alleging the removal violated federal law protecting special counsels.
The appeals court's decision is temporary, allowing Dellinger's removal while the case is expedited, with oral arguments expected after April 11 once briefing concludes.
The Office of Special Counsel is tasked with protecting federal workers from retaliation and enforcing ethics laws, including the Hatch Act, making Dellinger's dismissal a contentious issue.
Legal experts suggest the case could potentially reach the Supreme Court, testing the limits of presidential authority over independent federal agencies.