Hampton Dellinger, the recently dismissed head of the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, alleging his termination was unlawful. Dellinger, appointed during the Biden administration, contends that his removal violates federal statutes protecting the independence of his position.
The OSC is a federal agency responsible for safeguarding whistleblowers and enforcing the Hatch Act, which limits political activities of government employees. Dellinger argues that, according to the law, a special counsel can only be removed by the president for “inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.” He asserts that none of these conditions apply to his case, rendering his dismissal illegal.
Dellinger, confirmed by the Senate for a five-year term, seeks reinstatement through his lawsuit filed in federal court. He emphasizes that the effort to remove him lacks any factual or legal basis.
Stephen Kohn, chairman of the National Whistleblower Center, criticized the firing as “irresponsible and dangerous,” stating that it undermines a critical government program designed to encourage reporting of waste, fraud, and abuse. He also expressed concern for the confidentiality of federal employees who have blown the whistle on serious misconduct.
Before leading the OSC, Dellinger served as an assistant attorney general in the Biden administration’s Justice Department, overseeing the Office of Legal Policy. He also held positions as a deputy attorney general in North Carolina and as chief legal counsel in the governor’s office.
The lawsuit raises questions about the limits of presidential authority in removing appointed officials and the protections afforded to independent federal agencies. As the case proceeds, it is likely to spark further debate over the balance between political oversight and the autonomy of watchdog institutions.
