Overview

• Hampton Dellinger, head of the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), was fired via email on February 7 by the Trump administration without stated cause.
• Dellinger filed a lawsuit claiming his termination violated federal laws that allow removal only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.
• U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson issued a temporary order allowing Dellinger to remain in his role through at least February 13 while the case is reviewed.
• The Justice Department has filed an appeal against the judge's order, as the Trump administration continues to defend its actions.
• Dellinger’s firing is part of a broader pattern of terminations by Trump, including 17 inspectors general and other federal officials, raising concerns about retaliation against whistleblowers.