The head of the Office of Special Counsel, Hampton Dellinger, has filed a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, challenging his recent dismissal.
Dellinger argues that his termination was unlawful and violates long-standing federal protections for independent agency officials.
Dellinger was notified of his firing in an email from the White House personnel director last Friday. The message, sent on behalf of Trump, signaled a broader effort by the Republican administration to reshape federal agencies.
The lawsuit, filed in Washington federal court, asserts that special counsels can only be removed for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or misconduct.
In his legal complaint, Dellinger states that Trump’s decision lacks any legitimate grounds and conflicts with nearly a century of legal precedent governing the removal of independent agency heads. “President Trump’s purported removal of Special Counsel Dellinger is unlawful,” the lawsuit claims.
It argues that the action is inconsistent with statutory guidelines and undermines federal employment protections.
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The Office of Special Counsel is tasked with enforcing laws that protect government employees, including the Hatch Act, which restricts political activity within the federal workforce.
Despite its name, the office operates independently from the Justice Department’s special counsels, such as Jack Smith, who oversee specific investigations.
Trump’s move to remove Dellinger is part of a larger effort to overhaul the federal workforce. His administration has repeatedly clashed with long-standing civil service protections, seeking to push out employees who may not align with his policies.
Legal experts suggest that this case could set a precedent for future disputes over the independence of federal agencies. If the court sides with Dellinger, it could reaffirm the limitations on presidential authority regarding dismissals of independent officials.
However, if Trump’s decision is upheld, it may pave the way for greater executive control over federal agency leadership.
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