US judge ruled that Trump's dismissal of head of oversight agency illegal

District Judge Amy Berman Jackson in Washington previously ruled that Hampton Dellinger, the head of the Office of Special Counsel, which is responsible for whistleblower protection, may remain in his position until a court decision is announced.

In her ruling on Saturday, March 1, Jackson stated that supporting President Trump's ability to dismiss Dellinger would give him a constitutional license to intimidate executive branch officials into doing his bidding.

Late Saturday evening, the Department of Justice filed a notice of appeal, challenging Judge Berman's decision in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Dellinger, who was appointed by Democratic President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate for a five-year term in 2024, said in an email to the agency that he was grateful to see the court confirm the importance and legality of the job protections Congress afforded my position.

He added that his efforts to protect federal employees generally, and whistleblowers in particular, from unlawful treatment will continue.

Trump administration lawyers argue that the order to remove Dellinger from his position is an infringement on the president's authority over officials working in his administration.

Jackson, who was appointed to the bench by President Barack Obama, rejected claims of the law's unconstitutionality. She stated that the role of the Special Counsel is to address unethical or illegal actions against federal employees and to help whistleblowers act without fear of retaliation.

"It would be ironic, to say the least, and inimical to the ends furthered by the statute if the Special Counsel himself could be chilled in his work by fear of arbitrary or partisan removal," Judge Jackson wrote.

The Trump administration had previously called on the US Supreme Court, which had already delayed a decision in this case, to intervene earlier this week.

Trump is attempting to limit the independence of federal agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Federal Communications Commission. The decision in the Dellinger case could help define the scope of his authority in this regard.

Jackson stated that her ruling was extremely narrow and does not limit Trump's powers.

"This is the only single-headed agency left for the courts to consider, and it is unlike any of them," she wrote.

Meanwhile, Acting Attorney General Sarah Harris previously stated that Dellinger's continued service as special counsel was damaging to the Trump administration.

She referred to Dellinger's decision to halt the dismissals of six civil servants on Tuesday, February 25, who were on probation and whom the president's administration had attempted to fire.

Trump's personnel policy

President Donald Trump is seeking the authority to fire leaders of independent agencies, including the head of the Office of Special Counsel, Hampton Dellinger, who investigates complaints from civil servants.

Recently, Dellinger filed a lawsuit after being fired via a brief email. He claimed that the decision was illegal, as it violated a law protecting leaders of independent agencies from dismissal without just cause, such as negligence, abuse, or inefficiency.

Earlier, the president had already dismissed more than a dozen inspectors general, replaced heads of ethics agencies, and fired leaders of organizations that protect civil servants and investigate violations within government structures. This case will be the first major test for the US Supreme Court, which includes three justices appointed by Trump.

Meanwhile, the president's administration has ordered federal employees from many government agencies to report their work achievements for the past week. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in dismissal.

Previously, Trump demanded that many federal employees voluntarily resign and receive their salary until September. Federal employees largely boycotted this request.