Judge Rules Trump's Firing of Dellinger Unlawful

A federal judge has ruled that President Donald Trump's dismissal of Hampton Dellinger, head of the Office of Special Counsel, was unlawful, citing violation of a statute that permits removal only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson reinstated Dellinger, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the office's independence to protect federal employees from illegal personnel actions and political retaliation. The Trump administration plans to appeal the decision, potentially bringing the case to the Supreme Court as it challenges the constitutionality of protections against the president's power to appoint agency heads. This ruling is part of a broader legal fight over Trump's attempts to reshape the federal workforce and increase presidential authority. Jackson's decision supports the view that the Office of Special Counsel must be insulated from political interference to effectively guard whistleblowers and uphold government integrity. The Supreme Court previously paused efforts to dismiss Dellinger, allowing the case to advance through the courts.