Judge blocks Trump’s attempt to remove watchdog agency chief, rules dismissal unlawful
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Judge blocks Trump’s attempt to remove watchdog agency chief, rules dismissal unlawful

Hindustan Times  

The head of a federal watchdog agency must remain in his job, a judge in Washington ruled on Saturday, saying President Donald Trump's bid to remove the special counsel was unlawful. US President Donald Trump U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson sided with Hampton Dellinger, who leads the Office of Special Counsel, in a legal battle over the president's authority to oust the head of the independent agency that's likely headed back to the U.S. Supreme Court. Dellinger sued Trump last month after he was fired, even though the law says special counsels can be removed by the president “only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.” Jackson, who was nominated to the bench by Democratic president Barack Obama, quickly reinstated Dellinger in the job while he pursued his case. Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris wrote in court papers that the lower court had crossed “a constitutional red line” by blocking Dellinger’s firing and stopping Trump “from shaping the agenda of an executive-branch agency in the new administration’s critical first days.” Dellinger was appointed by Democratic President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate to a five-year term in 2024.

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History of this topic

Former government watchdog on his decision to end legal fight challenging his firing
1 week, 4 days ago

Former government watchdog on his decision to end legal fight challenging his firing

NPR  

Former government watchdog on his decision to end legal fight challenging his firing toggle caption U.S. Office of Special Counsel/Handout via Reuters What happens when a whistleblower claims wrongdoing in the federal government? And it was hard because when that came down two days ago, that morning, I had been able to get 6,000 newly hired federal employees back on …

Fired head of federal watchdog agency says he’s ending his legal battle over his removal by Trump
1 week, 4 days ago

Fired head of federal watchdog agency says he’s ending his legal battle over his removal by Trump

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The fired head of a federal watchdog agency said Thursday that he’s abandoning his legal battle against the Trump administration to get his job back, acknowledging he was likely facing a tough road before the U.S. Supreme Court. Hampton Dellinger said he was dropping his case a day after the federal appeals court in Washington sided with the …

Appeals Court Allows Removal Of Watchdog Agency Head As Legal Battle Rages Over Trump Firing
Trending News
1 week, 5 days ago

Appeals Court Allows Removal Of Watchdog Agency Head As Legal Battle Rages Over Trump Firing

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING WASHINGTON — An appeals court in Washington removed the head of a federal watchdog agency on Wednesday in the latest twist in a legal fight over Republican President Donald Trump’s authority to fire the special counsel. Circuit sided with the Trump administration in allowing the immediate removal of Hampton Dellinger from the Office of Special Counsel while …

Appeals court allows removal of watchdog agency head as legal battle rages over Trump firing
Trending News
1 week, 5 days ago

Appeals court allows removal of watchdog agency head as legal battle rages over Trump firing

Hindustan Times  

WASHINGTON — An appeals court in Washington on Wednesday removed the head of a federal watchdog agency in the latest twist in a legal fight over Republican President Donald Trump's authority to fire the special counsel. Appeals court allows removal of watchdog agency head as legal battle rages over Trump firing The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of …

Federal watchdog removed by Trump drops his case, citing long odds of winning at Supreme Court
1 week, 5 days ago

Federal watchdog removed by Trump drops his case, citing long odds of winning at Supreme Court

CNN  

CNN — Special counsel Hampton Dellinger says he is dropping his lawsuit to try to keep his job after President Donald Trump fired him. The case had been the first to land before the Supreme Court with emergency proceedings challenging Trump’s executive power and, at the moment, was winding its way back through lower courts. Dellinger said he was dropping …

Federal judge rules Trump unlawfully fired NLRB member, permitting her to stay on the job
1 week, 5 days ago

Federal judge rules Trump unlawfully fired NLRB member, permitting her to stay on the job

CNN  

Washington CNN — President Donald Trump’s firing of the former chairwoman of the National Labor Relations Board was an “illegal act,” a federal judge ruled Thursday, overturning her ousting in a decision that was highly critical of Trump’s “intent on pushing the bounds of his office.” The ruling from US District Judge Beryl Howell represents the third time in less …

Appeals court allows Trump to remove head of federal watchdog agency for now
1 week, 6 days ago

Appeals court allows Trump to remove head of federal watchdog agency for now

CNN  

CNN — A federal appeals court is allowing President Donald Trump to remove the head of a government watchdog agency while a legal challenge to his firing plays out. “This order gives effect to the removal of appellee from his position as Special Counsel of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel,” the appeals court said in its order Wednesday. “It …

The fired head of a federal watchdog agency says he's ending his legal fight
1 week, 6 days ago

The fired head of a federal watchdog agency says he's ending his legal fight

NPR  

The fired head of a federal watchdog agency says he's ending his legal fight toggle caption Win McNamee/Getty Images WASHINGTON — The fired head of a federal watchdog agency said Thursday that he's abandoning his legal battle against the Trump administration to get his job back, acknowledging he was likely facing a tough road before the U.S. Supreme Court. Hampton …

US federal judge rules against Trump's power to fire heads of watchdog agencies
2 weeks, 2 days ago

US federal judge rules against Trump's power to fire heads of watchdog agencies

Firstpost  

The case revolves around the White House’s February 7 dismissal of Hampton Dellinger, chief of the Office of Special Counsel A federal judge ruled Saturday that limits on President Donald Trump’s power to fire the head of an independent watchdog agency are constitutional, teeing up a likely Supreme Court showdown. The case revolves around the White House’s February 7 dismissal …

Judge rules head of watchdog agency must keep his job, says Trump’s bid to oust him was unlawful
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Judge rules head of watchdog agency must keep his job, says Trump’s bid to oust him was unlawful

The Hindu  

The head of a federal watchdog agency must remain in his job, a judge in Washington ruled on Saturday, saying U.S. President Donald Trump's bid to remove the special counsel was unlawful. Mr. Dellinger sued Mr. Trump last month after he was fired even though the law says special counsels can be removed by the President “only for inefficiency, neglect …

Judge Rules Head Of Watchdog Agency Must Keep His Job, Says Trump's Bid To Oust Him Was Unlawful
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Judge Rules Head Of Watchdog Agency Must Keep His Job, Says Trump's Bid To Oust Him Was Unlawful

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING WASHINGTON — The head of a federal watchdog agency must remain in his job, a judge in Washington ruled on Saturday, saying President Donald Trump’s bid to remove the special counsel was unlawful. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson sided with Hampton Dellinger, who leads the Office of Special Counsel, in a legal battle over the president’s …

Judge rules head of watchdog agency must keep his job, says Trump’s bid to oust him was unlawful
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Judge rules head of watchdog agency must keep his job, says Trump’s bid to oust him was unlawful

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The head of a federal watchdog agency must remain in his job, a judge in Washington ruled on Saturday, saying President Donald Trump’s bid to remove the special counsel was unlawful. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson sided with Hampton Dellinger, who leads the Office of Special Counsel, in a legal battle over the president’s authority to oust …

Judge rules Trump’s bid to oust head of watchdog agency was unlawful
2 weeks, 3 days ago

Judge rules Trump’s bid to oust head of watchdog agency was unlawful

LA Times  

President Trump gestures as he is escorted by Air Force Col. Angela Ochoa, commander of the 89th Airlift Wing, from Marine One before boarding Air Force One on Feb. 28, 2025, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. The head of a federal watchdog agency must remain in his job, a judge in Washington ruled Saturday, saying President Trump’s bid to remove …

Top Federal Watchdog Again Battles DOJ Lawyers In Court Over His Firing
2 weeks, 5 days ago

Top Federal Watchdog Again Battles DOJ Lawyers In Court Over His Firing

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING 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. Jackson was the first to issue a halt on Dellinger’s firing two weeks ago, …

US Supreme Court declines to let Trump immediately fire watchdog agency head
3 weeks, 3 days ago

US Supreme Court declines to let Trump immediately fire watchdog agency head

Deccan Chronicle  

Washington: The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Friday to let Donald Trump immediately fire the head of a federal watchdog agency after a judge's order had temporarily blocked the Republican president from ousting the official. The court said it was postponing action on the Justice Department's request until February 26 when a temporary restraining order issued by Washington-based U.S. District …

U.S. Supreme Court declines to let Trump immediately fire federal watchdog agency head
Trending News
3 weeks, 3 days ago

U.S. Supreme Court declines to let Trump immediately fire federal watchdog agency head

The Hindu  

The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Friday to let Donald Trump immediately fire the head of a federal watchdog agency after a judge's order had temporarily blocked the Republican president from ousting the official. The court postponed action - for now - on the Justice Department's request to lift the judge's February 12 order that had temporarily blocked Trump's removal …

Supreme Court won’t let Trump immediately fire whistleblower chief as legal challenge plays out
3 weeks, 3 days ago

Supreme Court won’t let Trump immediately fire whistleblower chief as legal challenge plays out

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Supreme Court won’t let Donald Trump remove an ethics …

The Supreme Court won’t allow Trump to immediately fire head of whistleblower office
3 weeks, 3 days ago

The Supreme Court won’t allow Trump to immediately fire head of whistleblower office

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Friday temporarily kept on the job the head of the federal agency that protects government whistleblowers, in its first word on the many legal fights over President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda. Acknowledging that some presidentially appointed officials have contested their removal, Gorsuch wrote that “those officials have generally sought remedies like backpay, not injunctive …

Judge denies union bid to halt Trump firing of government workers
Trending News
3 weeks, 4 days ago

Judge denies union bid to halt Trump firing of government workers

Raw Story  

A U.S. judge on Thursday denied a union bid to temporarily halt the firing of thousands of federal employees on probationary status, handing President Donald Trump another legal win in his plan to slash the government workforce. "The anxiety was running through the floor, like I personally felt anxious because I was one of last people to get that email," …

Supreme Court rules that government watchdog fired by Trump may temporarily remain on the job
3 weeks, 4 days ago

Supreme Court rules that government watchdog fired by Trump may temporarily remain on the job

CNN  

CNN — The Supreme Court on Friday dashed President Donald Trump’s plan to immediately fire the head of an independent agency that investigates whistleblower claims, allowing Hampton Dellinger to remain in the job through at least the middle of next week. By declining to back Trump’s emergency appeal, the conservative court nominally sided with Dellinger, who President Joe Biden appointed …

Supreme Court punts on order that blocked Trump's firing of special counsel
3 weeks, 4 days ago

Supreme Court punts on order that blocked Trump's firing of special counsel

NPR  

Supreme Court punts on order that blocked Trump's firing of special counsel toggle caption Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images The Supreme Court on Friday kicked the proverbial can down the road regarding the Trump administration's ability to fire the head of a key federal agency. This was the Trump administration's first appeal to the high court in its many pending legal challenges. …

Judge to rule swiftly on effort to block DOGE from assessing data and firing federal employees
Top News
1 month ago

Judge to rule swiftly on effort to block DOGE from assessing data and firing federal employees

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Monday questioned the authority of billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency but was skeptical of a request to block DOGE from accessing sensitive data and firing employees at half a dozen federal agencies. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan held a hearing on a request from 14 states for a temporary restraining …

Trump administration wants Supreme Court to let firing of whistleblower agency head proceed
1 month ago

Trump administration wants Supreme Court to let firing of whistleblower agency head proceed

The Hindu  

The Trump administration wants the Supreme Court to permit the firing of the head of the federal agency dedicated to protecting whistleblowers, according to documents obtained on Sunday that would mark the first appeal to the justices since President Donald Trump took office. The Justice Department's filing obtained by The Associated Press asks the conservative-majority court to lift a judge's …

Trump seeks Supreme Court approval to fire whistleblower agency chief
Trending News
1 month ago

Trump seeks Supreme Court approval to fire whistleblower agency chief

Deccan Chronicle  

The Trump administration wants the Supreme Court to permit the firing of the head of the federal agency dedicated to protecting whistleblowers, according to documents obtained Sunday that would mark the first appeal to the justices since President Donald Trump took office.The emergency appeal is the start of what probably will be a steady stream from lawyers for the Republican …

Trump Administration Wants The Supreme Court To Let The Firing Of Whistleblower Agency Head Proceed
1 month ago

Trump Administration Wants The Supreme Court To Let The Firing Of Whistleblower Agency Head Proceed

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING WASHINGTON — The Trump administration wants the Supreme Court to permit the firing of the head of the federal agency dedicated to protecting whistleblowers, according to documents obtained Sunday that would mark the first appeal to the justices since President Donald Trump took office. The Justice Department’s filing obtained by The Associated Press asks the conservative-majority court …

Trump administration wants the Supreme Court to let the firing of whistleblower agency head proceed
1 month ago

Trump administration wants the Supreme Court to let the firing of whistleblower agency head proceed

Hindustan Times  

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration wants the Supreme Court to permit the firing of the head of the federal agency dedicated to protecting whistleblowers, according to documents obtained Sunday that would mark the first appeal to the justices since President Donald Trump took office. Trump administration wants the Supreme Court to let the firing of whistleblower agency head proceed The …

Trump dealt another court loss as judge pauses dismantling of key agency
1 month ago

Trump dealt another court loss as judge pauses dismantling of key agency

Raw Story  

President Donald Trump suffered yet another setback in court on Friday, as a federal judge pumped the brakes on his move to tear down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, reported Politico. According to the report, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson "blocked the CFPB from terminating additional employees after the Trump administration this week fired dozens of agency workers, including …

Government watchdogs fired by Trump sue to get their jobs back
1 month ago

Government watchdogs fired by Trump sue to get their jobs back

CNN  

CNN — Eight inspectors general whom Donald Trump fired from their federal agency watchdog posts are suing for their jobs back, adding to the legal scrutiny over Trump’s first weeks of decisions in the White House and raising questions about his political intentions. Trump’s dismissal of 18 IGs happened in the first week of his second term, when the watchdogs …

Ex-FEMA worker who directed staff to avoid homes with Trump signs violated Hatch Act, agency says
1 month ago

Ex-FEMA worker who directed staff to avoid homes with Trump signs violated Hatch Act, agency says

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — A federal agency is seeking disciplinary action against a former Federal Emergency Management Agency worker who directed workers helping hurricane survivors to avoid homes with yard signs supporting President Donald Trump, according to a complaint filed Tuesday. Merit Systems Protection Board was filed by the Office of Special Counsel, whose leader was fired last week by Trump and …

Trump Quietly Fires Watchdog Overseeing Corruption
1 month, 1 week ago

Trump Quietly Fires Watchdog Overseeing Corruption

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING A federal official who was in charge of overseeing whistleblower complaints against the government and enforcing laws meant to tamp down on undue political influence sued President Donald Trump on Monday, arguing that his firing was unlawful. Special counsel Hampton Dellinger was fired via email last week, according to Politico, which first reported the sudden ouster. Though …

Judge orders fired head of whistleblower agency reinstated while fight continues over Trump removal
Trending News
1 month, 1 week ago

Judge orders fired head of whistleblower agency reinstated while fight continues over Trump removal

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — A U.S. judge on Monday ordered the fired head of the federal agency dedicated to protecting whistleblowers to be reinstated while a court fight continues over his removal by President Donald Trump. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson’s order came hours after Hampton Dellinger sued the Republican president over his removal as the leader of the Office of …

Top whistleblower advocate sues President Trump, alleging 'unlawful' firing
Trending News
1 month, 1 week ago

Top whistleblower advocate sues President Trump, alleging 'unlawful' firing

NPR  

Top whistleblower advocate sues President Trump, alleging 'unlawful' firing toggle caption Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images The leader of an independent federal ethics agency has filed a lawsuit claiming he was illegally fired by President Trump, the latest attempted removal of a political appointee that may violate the law. The Office of Special Counsel investigates and prosecutes violations of "prohibited …

Trump administration fires prosecutors involved in Jan. 6 cases and moves toward ousting FBI agents
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Trump administration fires prosecutors involved in Jan. 6 cases and moves toward ousting FBI agents

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Friday fired a group of prosecutors involved in the Jan. 6 criminal cases and demanded the names of FBI agents involved in those same probes so they can possibly be ousted, moves that reflect a White House determination to exert control over federal law enforcement and purge agencies of career employees seen as insufficiently …

Trump leaves Dem-led watchdog 'paralyzed' after firing spree: report
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Trump leaves Dem-led watchdog 'paralyzed' after firing spree: report

Raw Story  

President Donald Trump left the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board — an independent civil liberties watchdog — "paralyzed" on Monday after firing three of its members who were selected by Democrats, according to The New York Times. This comes after the new MAGA administration earlier today fired "more than a dozen" prosecutors on Special Counsel Jack Smith's team. However, …

Judge who blocked release of Trump report was ‘plainly’ wrong, special counsel tells appeals court
Top News
2 months, 1 week ago

Judge who blocked release of Trump report was ‘plainly’ wrong, special counsel tells appeals court

LA Times  

A judge’s order is blocking the Justice Department from releasing any part of special counsel Jack Smith’s investigative report on President-elect Donald Trump. The Justice Department has asked a federal appeals court to move swiftly in reversing a judge’s order that had blocked the agency from releasing any part of special counsel Jack Smith’s investigative report on President-elect Donald Trump. …

Special counsel Jack Smith, who investigated Trump, has resigned
Trending News
2 months, 1 week ago

Special counsel Jack Smith, who investigated Trump, has resigned

LA Times  

A judge’s order is blocking the Justice Department from releasing any part of special counsel Jack Smith’s investigative report on President-elect Donald Trump. Special counsel Jack Smith resigned from the Justice Department after having submitted his report on Donald Trump to the attorney general, the department revealed in a filing on Saturday. The Justice Department late Friday asked a federal …

Trump’s firing of State Dept watchdog may be ‘unlawful’: Pelosi
4 years, 10 months ago

Trump’s firing of State Dept watchdog may be ‘unlawful’: Pelosi

Al Jazeera  

Steve Linick was reportedly looking into whether Mike Pompeo made a staffer do his personal errands like walk his dog. US President Donald Trump’s firing of the State Department’s top internal watchdog “could be unlawful” if it was intended to retaliate against one of his investigations, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Sunday. The top Democrats on the House and …

Federal agency recommends White House aide Kellyanne Conway be fired
5 years, 9 months ago

Federal agency recommends White House aide Kellyanne Conway be fired

LA Times  

A federal watchdog says Kellyanne Conway has repeatedly violated the Hatch Act by disparaging Democratic presidential candidates while speaking in her official capacity. A federal watchdog agency is recommending that White House counselor Kellyanne Conway be fired for repeatedly violating a law that limits certain political activities of federal employees. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel says Conway has become …

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