A federal judge has ruled that President Donald Trump’s removal of Hampton Dellinger from the Office of Special Counsel violated legal protections, ordering his reinstatement and setting the stage for an ongoing legal battle.
The decision, handed down by U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, stated that the law governing the position prevents arbitrary dismissal. Dellinger, a Biden appointee, was removed from his post on February 7 as part of Trump’s broader effort to replace officials across multiple agencies. However, Dellinger challenged the termination, arguing that his position carries a statutory five-year term and that the president could only remove him under specific conditions such as misconduct or negligence.
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 determined that Trump’s firing of Dellinger did not meet those criteria, ruling that the dismissal lacked any legitimate justification. She also emphasized that the independence of the Office of Special Counsel would be undermined if the president had unchecked authority to remove its leader at will.
🚨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 directs the Office of Management and Budget and the Treasury Department to recognize Dellinger as the rightful occupant of the role. While the decision does not directly restrict Trump from seeking further legal avenues, it presents a significant obstacle to his administration’s attempt to replace the special counsel.
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 petitioned to weigh in, declined to intervene until the appellate court reaches a decision.
With this ruling, the legal dispute over the limits of presidential authority regarding independent offices continues, with further arguments expected in the coming weeks.
