A federal judge in Washington has ruled in favor of the head of a watchdog agency, stating that President Donald Trump’s attempt to remove him was unlawful. The judge sided with Hampton Dellinger, who leads the Office of Special Counsel, in a legal battle over the president’s authority to oust the head of the independent agency.
Dellinger had sued Trump after being fired, despite the law stating that special counsels can only be removed by the president for specific reasons like inefficiency or neglect of duty. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, nominated by Democratic President Barack Obama, quickly reinstated Dellinger in his role while he pursued his case.
The judge rejected the Trump administration’s argument that the special counsel’s removal protections are unconstitutional. She emphasized the importance of the special counsel’s role in safeguarding the federal workforce from illegal actions, such as retaliation for whistleblowing.
Dellinger expressed gratitude for the court’s decision, highlighting the significance of the job protections Congress has provided for his position. He emphasized his commitment to protecting federal employees and whistleblowers from unlawful treatment.
The Office of Special Counsel plays a crucial role in investigating whistleblower claims, enforcing the Hatch Act to restrict political activities of government workers, and ensuring accountability within the government. Dellinger’s case has already been to the Supreme Court once, and the Justice Department has indicated it will challenge the recent ruling in Washington’s federal appeals court.
Dellinger’s case underscores the need for independence in his role to effectively carry out his responsibilities. The judge emphasized that without this independence, federal employees may hesitate to come forward with important information.
Overall, the ruling in favor of Dellinger reaffirms the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting the integrity of independent agencies tasked with overseeing government operations.