Judge Extends Block on White House’s Firing of Watchdog Official

The previous block was set to expire at midnight on Feb. 26; the judge says she needs more time to consider arguments in the case.

Special Counsel of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger poses for a portrait in an undated handout image. U.S. Office of Special Counsel/Handout via Reuters

Federal Judge Amy Berman Jackson said on Feb. 26 that she is extending a block on the firing of special counsel Hampton Dellinger. The block was set to expire at midnight on Feb. 26 but is extended to March 1 while the judge considers new developments in the case.

President Donald Trump removed Dellinger as head of the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), a watchdog agency, on Feb. 7.