A federal judge has ruled that Hampton Dellinger must be reinstated as head of the Office of Special Counsel after his firing by President Donald Trump, setting up a major legal dispute over executive authority. The decision, issued Saturday by U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, found that Dellinger’s termination violated legal protections established by Congress.
Dellinger was dismissed on February 7 as part of a broader effort by Trump to replace officials appointed under President Joe Biden. However, the law governing the OSC states that its chief can only be removed for specific reasons, such as misconduct or neglect of duty. Dellinger challenged the firing in court, arguing that Trump overstepped his authority.
Obama appointee and shameless Trump hater Judge Amy Berman Jackson last night issued the order we all expected–she declared the president's firing of Hampton Dellinger, head of Office of Special Counsel, was unlawful. (Reading thru her accompanying 67-page opinion now) pic.twitter.com/u21A2kAQQN
— Julie Kelly 🇺🇸 (@julie_kelly2) March 2, 2025
Jackson sided with Dellinger, ruling that the OSC’s independence would be undermined if its leader could be removed without cause. She wrote that the termination process must align with congressional intent and that Dellinger’s removal did not meet the legal standard.
🚨JUST IN: The Judge in the Hampton Dellinger case ruled that President Trump’s firing of him was illegal. She declared firing illegal, and ordered Dellinger be reinstated as Special Counsel.
SCOTUS had already ruled with the two dissenting justices arguing reinstatement is… pic.twitter.com/TMJZB8ObKO
— Walter Curt (@WCdispatch_) March 2, 2025
The ruling orders officials at the Office of Management and Budget and the Treasury Department to recognize Dellinger’s authority and prevent any attempts to replace him. However, it does not directly restrain Trump from taking further action on the matter.
Crooked Judge Amy Berman Jackson made the dumbest point in history about President Trump firing Hampton Dellinger, the crooked special counsel, "His actual job is to be a check and balance on the president."
Can someone remind this witch that the Executive Branch is checked by… pic.twitter.com/oQLNZIK1JM
— George (@BehizyTweets) February 26, 2025
The Trump administration has already appealed the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The Supreme Court previously delayed involvement, choosing to allow the lower courts to resolve the matter first.
This case adds to the ongoing legal battles over Trump’s authority to remove officials appointed under Biden. The appellate court is expected to issue a ruling that could have lasting implications for executive power and agency independence.
