Trump’s firing of watchdog agency chief illegal and would give ‘license to bully officials’, judge rules
Trump’s firing of watchdog agency chief illegal and would give ‘license to bully officials’, judge rules
Trump’s firing of watchdog agency chief illegal and would give ‘license to bully officials’, judge rules
Case is seen as early test of scope of presidential authority as Trump seeks to rein in federal agencies’ independence
Summary
A U.S. judge ruled that Donald Trump’s firing of whistleblower watchdog Hampton Dellinger was illegal, warning it would grant a president "a constitutional license to bully officials."
Judge Amy Berman Jackson rejected Trump’s claim that the firing was constitutional, affirming job protections for the Office of Special Counsel head. The Justice Department is appealing the decision.
The ruling impacts Trump’s broader efforts to limit federal agency independence. Dellinger vowed to continue protecting whistleblowers, while Trump’s administration argues his role undermines presidential authority.