President Donald Trump’s firing of Hampton Dellinger from the Office of Special Counsel has been ruled unlawful by a federal judge, escalating a legal dispute that could ultimately reach the Supreme Court. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson issued her decision Saturday, declaring that Dellinger’s removal violated statutory protections governing the office.

Dellinger, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, sued the Trump administration in February after being abruptly fired. The law governing his position allows removal only for specific reasons, such as misconduct or failure to perform duties, rather than at the president’s discretion. Jackson determined that the firing failed to meet those requirements, noting that the termination notice lacked any stated cause.

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

In her ruling, Jackson emphasized the importance of maintaining the OSC’s independence, stating that removing its leader without cause would contradict the office’s role as designed by Congress. She ruled that the restrictions on termination “must stand” to preserve its function.

🚨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 decision directs the Office of Management and Budget and the Treasury Department to recognize Dellinger’s authority and prevent any interference with his role. While the ruling does not directly enjoin Trump, it significantly limits his administration’s ability to remove Dellinger without further legal challenge.

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

Trump’s legal team has already appealed the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The Supreme Court had previously declined to weigh in on the case, awaiting the lower court’s decision before taking further action.

This is not the first time a judge has blocked Trump’s efforts to remove officials appointed under the previous administration. The appellate court’s forthcoming decision will determine whether the president’s authority over such removals remains limited.