Trump administration can remove head of federal watchdog agency, appeals court rules
WASHINGTON — An appeals court in Washington on Wednesday removed the head of a federal watchdog agency in the latest twist in a legal fight over Republican President Donald Trump’s authority to fire the special counsel.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia sided with the Trump administration in allowing the immediate removal of Hampton Dellinger as head of the Office of Special Counsel while the court battle continues. Dellinger is likely to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Dellinger sued Trump last month after he was fired even though the law says special counsels can be removed by the president “only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.” U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, who was nominated to the bench by Democratic President Barack Obama, quickly reinstated Dellinger in the job while he pursued his case.
Dellinger’s lawyers say allowing the president to fire the special counsel without cause would have a chilling effect on the important duties of the office to protect whistleblowers. The ruling comes as Dellinger is also challenging the removal of probationary workers who were fired as part of the Trump administration’s shakeup of the federal government.
The Trump administration has argued that the law protecting the special counsel from removal is unconstitutional and unfairly prevents the president from rightfully installing his preferred agency head.
Jackson on Saturday ruled that Dellinger’s firing was unlawful and ordered that he remain in his post. But the appeals court lifted Jackson’s order blocking his removal while the court considers legal arguments in the case.
The Office of Special Counsel is responsible for guarding the federal workforce from illegal personnel actions, such as retaliation for whistleblowing. It investigates whistleblower claims of reprisal, can pursue disciplinary action against employees who punish whistleblowers and provides a channel for employees to disclose government wrongdoing.
After a request from Dellinger’s office, a government panel that enforces workers’ rights ruled Wednesday that more than 5,000 employees fired by the Trump administration should be put back on the job at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
While the order applies only to the USDA workers, Dellinger released a statement “calling on all federal agencies to voluntarily and immediately rescind any unlawful terminations of probationary employees.”
The U.N. utters the word: Dementia
For the first time, the United Nations has issued a political declaration pledging to address dementia. Will it make a difference?
Latest update of 1844 American songbook reflects new generation of ‘Sacred Harp’ singers
An 1844 religiously inspired songbook that uses shape notes to help people read music got a major update recently and it attracting younger singers.
The beat goes on: Marcus Gilmore steps forward at the Vanguard
Drummer Marcus Gilmore joins Christian McBride to celebrate his Vanguard debut and reflect on the legacy of his grandfather, Roy Haynes, while carving his own path with Journey to the New.
Trump advises parents on hepatitis B vaccine. Here’s why doctors say he’s wrong
It's unusual for Presidents to give medical advise. But this week President Trump told parents to delay giving their kids a hep b shot until they turn 12. Doctors say this is bad and dangerous advice.
What we know about the Dallas ICE facility shooting
A gunman fired at a Dallas ICE immigration detention facility, killing one person and injuring two others. Investigators provide updates on the shooting and the gunman.
Trump is accusing the U.N. of ‘sabotage.’ The U.N. says Trump’s team is to blame
Trump says three "sinister events" disrupted his speech: a frozen escalator, a broken teleprompter and a too-quiet sound system. The U.N. says Trump's team is at fault, but opened an investigation.
