A top federal official responsible for handling government workers’ whistleblower complaints regarding political malfeasance is currently embroiled in a battle to retain his position after being fired by the White House on Friday.
Hampton Dellinger, the federal government’s Special Counsel, is contesting his abrupt termination, asserting that he could only be removed from his role for justifiable cause. Dellinger, who had served in the position for less than a year of his five-year term, was informed of his immediate dismissal by an assistant to President Donald Trump on Friday evening.
The Office of Special Counsel, where Dellinger held his position, plays a crucial role in providing federal civil servants with a platform to report wrongdoing as whistleblowers while also safeguarding them from potential retaliation. In the current political climate, characterized by the removal of government employees based on their political affiliations, the role of the Special Counsel has gained increased significance.
It is important to note that the Office of Special Counsel is distinct from the special counsels appointed by the Justice Department for investigating high-profile cases involving political figures such as Trump and President Joe Biden.
In response to his dismissal, Dellinger has taken legal action by filing a lawsuit challenging the legality of his removal. His legal team argues that President Trump’s decision to terminate him is in violation of established precedents governing the removal of independent agency officials, which typically require justifiable cause for such actions.
Seeking urgent intervention from the court, Dellinger is awaiting a response from Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the DC District Court regarding his case.
