The Supreme Court has officially docketed the Justice Department's appeal regarding Hampton Dellinger, the special counsel who was terminated by President Donald Trump and subsequently reinstated by lower courts on a temporary basis. The court has set a quick deadline for Dellinger to respond by 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday, indicating an expedited process compared to other emergency appeals.
Notably, the high court has not granted an administrative stay while reviewing the Trump administration's appeal, suggesting a prompt decision may be forthcoming by the end of the week or early next week.
This case, known as Bessent v. Dellinger, has broader implications as it could potentially clarify the extent to which Congress can establish independent agencies shielded from presidential influence, or whether presidents retain the authority to dismiss individuals perceived as potential critics.
Of particular interest is the fact that Trump is utilizing an emergency appeal to urge the justices to allow him to remove the head of a government ethics oversight agency, underscoring the ongoing power struggle within the federal government.
This legal battle occurs against the backdrop of Trump's efforts to centralize power within the federal government by swiftly removing federal officials who may pose challenges and attempting to block the allocation of federal funds mandated by Congress.
