Appeals Court Grants Trump’s Request To Remove Federal Watchdog Chief

A federal appeals court has sided with President Donald Trump, allowing him to proceed with the removal of Hampton Dellinger from the Office of Special Counsel despite a lower court ruling that sought to reinstate him.

The decision comes after Judge Amy Berman Jackson ruled that Dellinger’s termination violated federal law, arguing that the position was designed to be insulated from political influence. The Office of Special Counsel investigates misconduct in the federal workforce and ensures whistleblower protections, making its leadership a key issue in legal debates over executive power.

The Justice Department pushed back against Jackson’s ruling, stating that the president has constitutional authority to remove agency heads. The appeals court agreed, granting a stay that allows the firing to remain in place while the case continues through the legal system.

Dellinger, appointed during the Biden administration, has been at the center of a legal battle over whether his role can be subject to presidential removal. His attorneys have argued that firing him undermines the integrity of the office, while Trump’s administration maintains that executive authority permits such actions.

The DC Circuit Court of Appeals, which includes judges from different political backgrounds, has agreed to expedite its review of the case. The ruling prevents Dellinger from returning to his role as the legal proceedings unfold.

Legal analysts believe that Dellinger may take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, which previously declined to step in during an earlier stage of the dispute.

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