In a recent court hearing, a lawyer representing the Trump administration made a bold statement asserting the courts had no authority in a case involving the firing of a federal official responsible for investigating whistleblower complaints in the civil service.
The Justice Department argued for the presidency's essentially unchecked power over the position leading the federal Office of Special Counsel, in a test of Donald Trump's authority to appoint individuals to federal positions, despite existing protections established by Congress and the courts.
The current special counsel, Hampton Dellinger, who was fired by the White House less than a month ago, filed a lawsuit challenging his termination. During the hearing, Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the DC District Court noted that the special counsel's role is to serve as a check and balance on the president.
The DOJ lawyer, Madeline McMahon, contended that allowing Dellinger to remain in his position would constitute an unprecedented intrusion into the president's authority.
The case is progressing rapidly, with the Justice Department seeking to expedite it to the Supreme Court, potentially before Judge Jackson issues an opinion. The Supreme Court has reportedly set a deadline for Jackson to make a ruling.
Following the hearing, Dellinger expressed his willingness to abide by the court's decision and stated his intention to return to work, focusing on reviewing claims from federal probationary workers dismissed by the Trump administration.
Dellinger emphasized his commitment to upholding his responsibilities, stating, 'I just didn't feel like on my watch, that I could walk away based on an email from someone who doesn't know me, doesn't know my record.'
