A federal court has ruled against President Donald Trump’s decision to remove Hampton Dellinger as head of the Office of Special Counsel, a move that is expected to escalate into a broader legal fight. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson determined on Saturday that Dellinger’s dismissal violated statutory protections and ordered his reinstatement.
Dellinger, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, had been serving a five-year term when Trump removed him on February 7. The law governing the position states that the president may only fire the special counsel for specific reasons, including inefficiency or misconduct. Arguing that his removal was unlawful, Dellinger filed a lawsuit to challenge Trump’s authority in this case.
Obama appointee and shameless Trump hater Judge Amy Berman Jackson last night issued the order we all expected–she declared the president's firing of Hampton Dellinger, head of Office of Special Counsel, was unlawful. (Reading thru her accompanying 67-page opinion now) pic.twitter.com/u21A2kAQQN
— Julie Kelly 🇺🇸 (@julie_kelly2) March 2, 2025
Jackson sided with Dellinger, ruling that the statutory protections in place for the position must remain intact. In her decision, she noted that eliminating these safeguards would compromise the independence of the Office of Special Counsel. She further stated that Dellinger’s termination letter provided no justification, which she said strengthened the argument that the firing did not follow legal requirements.
🚨JUST IN: The Judge in the Hampton Dellinger case ruled that President Trump’s firing of him was illegal. She declared firing illegal, and ordered Dellinger be reinstated as Special Counsel.
SCOTUS had already ruled with the two dissenting justices arguing reinstatement is… pic.twitter.com/TMJZB8ObKO
— Walter Curt (@WCdispatch_) March 2, 2025
The ruling instructs the Office of Management and Budget, along with the Treasury Department, to recognize Dellinger’s position and prevent any interference with his duties. However, the order does not explicitly prevent Trump from attempting further legal action regarding the position.
Crooked Judge Amy Berman Jackson made the dumbest point in history about President Trump firing Hampton Dellinger, the crooked special counsel, "His actual job is to be a check and balance on the president."
Can someone remind this witch that the Executive Branch is checked by… pic.twitter.com/oQLNZIK1JM
— George (@BehizyTweets) February 26, 2025
The Trump administration has already appealed the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The Supreme Court, which was previously asked to intervene, has opted to wait for the lower courts to weigh in before making a ruling.
This case marks one of several legal battles over Trump’s removal of officials appointed under Biden. With the appeal now in motion, the court’s final decision could have lasting implications for presidential authority over independent offices.
