By Andrew Goudsward
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump fired the head of a U.S. watchdog agency focused on protecting government whistleblowers, the official said on Monday in a lawsuit alleging that his removal was unlawful.
Hampton Dellinger, who was appointed in 2023 to head the Office of Special Counsel, said in the lawsuit that he received an email from the head of the White House personnel office on Friday informing him, on behalf of Trump, that his position was terminated effective immediately.
Dellinger, whose appointment by Democratic President Joe Biden to a five-year term was confirmed by the Senate in 2024, alleged his firing violated a U.S. law that only allows for him to be removed for neglect of duty or misconduct.
A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Also on Monday, Trump removed the top U.S. ethics official, David Huitema, according to a notice on the Office of Government Ethics' website. Huitema assumed the role, which is tasked with preventing conflicts of interest among government workers, in December.
A spokesperson for the office declined to comment.
The moves are the latest by the Trump administration to expel officials who investigate wrongdoing within the federal government. Trump last month fired 17 inspectors general who serve as independent watchdogs within their agencies, without providing a reason.
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