Supreme Court Delays Trump’s Attempt to Fire Federal Watchdog Chief

The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's effort to remove Hampton Dellinger, head of the Office of Special Counsel, delaying action until February 26. The court’s decision follows a February 12 order by U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, which reinstated Dellinger pending further legal review.

Trump fired Dellinger on February 7 without explanation, but federal law states the position can only be vacated for "inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance." Dellinger, appointed by President Joe Biden for a term ending in 2029, sued to contest his removal, arguing it violated legal protections meant to ensure the agency’s independence.

The Office of Special Counsel investigates whistleblower complaints and enforces the Hatch Act, which restricts political activity by federal employees. Dellinger’s lawsuit cited an "unprecedented" wave of firings within the civil service, emphasizing the agency’s critical role in protecting government accountability.

Conservative Justices Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito dissented from the court’s decision to delay action, while liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson favored denying the Justice Department's request entirely. The administration, asserting broad presidential authority, called the judge’s ruling an "unprecedented assault" on executive power.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit dismissed the administration’s appeal on February 15, deeming it premature given the temporary nature of the judge’s order. As Trump moves to reshape the federal government, the case highlights ongoing legal battles over executive authority and civil service protections.