A federal judge appointed by Barack Obama has temporarily blocked President Trump from firing Hampton Dellinger, the head of the Office of the Special Counsel (OSC).
Judge Amy Berman Jackson, known for her past rulings against Trump administration officials, issued a late-night restraining order on Wednesday, keeping Dellinger in his post despite Trump’s decision to remove him last week.
“The effort by the White House to terminate the Special Counsel without identifying any cause plainly contravenes the statute, which states, ‘[t]he Special Counsel may be removed by the President only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office,’” Jackson wrote.
“This language expresses Congress’s clear intent to ensure the independence of the Special Counsel and insulate his work from being buffeted by the winds of political change.”
The ruling effectively undermines Trump’s ability to remove a political appointee whose office has been accused of partisan interference under the previous administration.
A Biden-Appointed Bureaucrat Resists Removal
Dellinger, a Biden nominee, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Monday, claiming he was fired via a “one sentence email” without justification for ending his five-year term early.
His lawsuit argues that his role as head of the OSC should remain independent from presidential authority, despite Trump’s legal power to remove executive branch officials.
The OSC, distinct from the similarly named position within the Justice Department, oversees whistleblower protections and investigates alleged violations of the Hatch Act—a law meant to prevent federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity.
However, many conservatives view the OSC under Biden-era leadership as another arm of the deep state, selectively targeting Trump allies while ignoring Democrat abuses.
The temporary restraining order marks yet another instance of an activist judiciary stepping in to block Trump’s efforts to restore accountability within the federal government.
Judge Jackson, a longtime critic of Trump, previously ruled against his administration in cases involving Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, and other Trump allies.
Jackson’s decision allows Dellinger to remain in office as the courts determine whether he can be permanently removed.
Trump’s efforts to remove entrenched Biden-era officials like Dellinger are part of his broader commitment to dismantling the administrative state that has worked against him since his first term.
While liberal judges continue to protect their bureaucratic allies, Trump remains focused on restoring accountability and ensuring that federal agencies serve the American people—not the political interests of the left.
Sounds like the Judicial Branch is still using “LAWFARE” only this is worse. These obviouse activist judges are definitely looking for trouble. Trump has the authority to fire every government employee PERIOD. The SCOTUS had better get busy because the Judicial Branch does NOT have authority over the Executive. Saying he can’t fire people is not even a legal matter. The U.S.Attorney General has authority over all federal judges.
18 dem judges have ruled against Trump this month alone. It is a continuation of lawfare.
Judge Jackson is a perfect example of why lifetime appointments are wrong. Judges need to be responsible to the people thru elections. Roberts and the Supreme Court are total failures when it comes to keeping politics out of the Judiciary. They have allowed political persecution and lawfare to flourish in our country. Both are unamerican .
Does the Left not understand? Judges attacking a President’s decisions, will set a precedent going forward. Nothing to keep Republicans from using the same strategy IF Democrats ever recapture the presidency!
My question…if we are to allow district judges to “call the plays,” why even bother with a President or congress?
Effectively, this changes the whole power structure!
Do we really want Black Robes to be our nation’s gatekeeper? The country’s ultimate decision-makers!
As I read the founding documents, the President elected by the people has authority! Not appointed judges. The Executive Branch need not consult with ANYONE!
Maybe Trump should send his Special Counsel head to Iron Mountain to identify ways to increase the number of terminations the facility can process per month.