Federal court clears way for Trump to fire Dellinger

The federal appeals court has given President Donald Trump the green light to dismiss Hampton Dellinger, the head of the Office of Special Counsel. Dellinger, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, took legal action against the Trump administration in Washington, D.C., federal court following his termination on Feb. 7.

D.C. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson previously stated that Dellinger’s firing was unlawful. However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled in favor of the Trump administration on Wednesday. Dellinger is expected to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.

In a separate case, Jackson hinted that she would continue to block Trump from firing the head of the whistleblower protection agency. She emphasized the importance of maintaining the Office of Special Counsel’s independence, which she believes would be compromised by removing Dellinger.

Dellinger has argued that he can only be removed from his position for performance-related issues, none of which were cited in the email notifying him of his dismissal. Despite this, the administration proceeded with his termination.

In February, liberal Supreme Court justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson opposed the administration’s request to approve Dellinger’s firing. Conversely, conservative justices Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito dissented, expressing concerns about the lower court’s interference in executive decisions.

Gorsuch raised questions about the judiciary’s authority to reinstate officials who have been fired by the president. He noted that previous cases involving officials contesting their removal typically sought financial compensation rather than reinstatement.

The legal battle between Dellinger and the Trump administration continues to unfold, with potential implications for the Office of Special Counsel’s autonomy. The Supreme Court may ultimately decide the outcome of this contentious issue.

Anders Hagstrom, a reporter for Fox News Digital, covers national politics and breaking news stories. For tips or inquiries, reach out to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com or follow him on Twitter at @Hagstrom_Anders.