Judge Blocks President Trump’s Firing of Watchdog, Reinstates Dellinger

Despite President Donald Trump giving the ax to Hampton Dellinger, Judge Amy Berman Jackson steps in to reverse it.

Because rejecting what President Trump does seems to be second nature to these liberals in position in power.

And so this Jewish judge is keeping Dellinger as head of the Office of Special Counsel.

Dellinger is supposedly in charge of protecting whistleblowers and keeping the government honest.

Well, looks like he’s done a terrible job so far.

But with the Supreme Court now involved, this showdown isn’t over.

The question is, why is his position extended for only 3 days?

JUST IN: Judge Amy Berman Jackson extends for 3 days, through Saturday, TRO reinstating Hampton Dellinger as special counsel despite Trump's attempt to fire him. Doc: https://t.co/fSd0qP67ec

— Josh Gerstein (@joshgerstein) February 26, 2025

At this point, is anyone still surprised?

JUST IN: Federal Judge Amy Berman Jackson has just blocked President Trump from firing U.S. Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger.

This is getting ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/DstHJ0d0tE

— Ian Jaeger (@IanJaeger29) February 11, 2025

HuffPost reports:

A federal judge has agreed to extend a temporary restraining order that will keep Hampton Dellinger, a top government watchdog, in his role at the Office of Special Counsel as a battle over his abrupt firing ensues in court with the Trump administration.

Lawyers for the Justice Department and Dellinger met in Washington, D.C., Wednesday to argue the case before U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson.

Dellinger currently heads the Office of Special Counsel, or OSC, an entity that enforces whistleblower retaliation protections and tamps down on partisan political activity by federal employees.

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He was fired by the Trump administration on Feb. 7 after he received an abrupt generic email from Sergio Gor, the director of White House presidential personnel, notifying him of his termination. There was no specific cause given for his firing but only a statement that it was on President Donald Trump’s orders.

Dellinger swiftly sued, kicking off a showdown in federal court over the administration’s authority to remove without cause. He was confirmed by the Senate last March for a five-year term, and longstanding laws dictate that the head of the OSC can only be forced out when there is proof they have neglected their duty or otherwise acted in malfeasance. (The OSC shares no relationship to the special counsel’s office that prosecuted Trump for multiple now-dismissed criminal indictments.)

This factor for removal, Dellinger’s attorneys argued, is what keeps officials from being chilled or politically influenced.

Jackson was the first to issue a halt on Dellinger’s firing two weeks ago, but the Trump administration unsuccessfully appealed and then sent Justice Department lawyers scurrying to the Supreme Court for emergency intervention.

The high court sent the question back down to Jackson while keeping the restraining order in effect until she could rule. Per her order on Wednesday, the temporary restraining order, or TRO, will remain until March 1.

During the hearing, Jackson said that, while she had the plain authority to extend the restraining order for up to 14 days as she weighed the merits of the case and decided on whether she could issue a preliminary injunction, she said she was hyperaware of how fruitless that effort might be.

The Justice Department would likely turn around immediately after her ruling and tell the appeals court — and then likely the Supreme Court — that it could not bear the thought of Dellinger staying in office just one more day, let alone 14 as TRO laws permit.

U.S. attorney Madeline McMahon told Jackson early Wednesday she was right to assume that.

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21/ DOJ: Accountability of SC to President is what is at stake. Even if SC is fired at will, OSC will continue to function.
Judge: Argued to SCOTUS I lack authority to reinstating Dellinger. Plaintiffs say no, they aren't asking for an injunction to President. Do I have authority…

— Margot Cleveland (@ProfMJCleveland) February 26, 2025

Hasn’t she done this before…

LAWFARE: Ooops she did it again! Judge Amy Berman Jackson is blocking the president's effort to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse yet again. She won't let Russell Vought layoff anyone else from the CFPB. pic.twitter.com/39h1nbK4Rl

— @amuse (@amuse) February 15, 2025