Trump Admin Appeals After Judge Reappoints Head of Whistleblower Protection Office

A judge on Monday reappointed the head of the Office of Special Counsel, who was terminated Friday evening by the Trump administration.

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

Lawyers for the Trump administration filed a notice of appeal late Feb. 10 after U.S. Judge Amy Berman Jackson reinstated the head of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), which protects government whistleblowers. The official sued the Trump administration earlier on Monday, challenging the president’s decision to remove them from office.

Hampton Dellinger, appointed to lead the OSC in 2023 by former President Joe Biden, said he received a one sentence email from White House personnel director Sergio Gor on Friday regarding the immediate termination of his position.