February 18, 2025
Government Accountability Project Urges Supreme Court to Protect Independent Oversight in Defense of Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger
WASHINGTON—Government Accountability Project voices unequivocal support for Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger’s right to continue serving in his appointed role at the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) and urges the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold critical legal protections for independent watchdogs.
This statement comes in response to the Trump Administration’s decision to file an emergency petition to the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking to overturn a lower court’s ruling that blocked President Trump from unilaterally removing Mr. Dellinger as head of the OSC.
As Special Counsel, Dellinger serves in a strictly nonpartisan capacity, overseeing whistleblower protections and investigating government misconduct. Under Federal law, the Special Counsel can only be removed by the President for cause, such as in cases of inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. By attempting to fire Dellinger without cause,
“The Trump administration is creating a fraud of its stated commitment to fight fraud, waste and abuse.” said Tom Devine, Legal Director at Government Accountability Project. “Mr. Dellinger has earned universal and bipartisan respect from whistleblowers for protecting them and handling their disclosures with impartial respect. It makes no sense for the President to fire the watchdog who is fulfilling the President’s...
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