On Sunday, the Trump administration filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, aiming to secure permission to fire the head of the federal agency dedicated to protecting whistleblowers.
The emergency appeal, obtained by The Associated Press on Sunday, could likely be the start of a steady stream of court filings by lawyers of President Donald Trump and his administration aimed at reversing lower court rulings that have delayed his priorities for his second term in office.
The appeal seeks to prevent Hampton Dellinger from resuming his role as the head of the Office of Special Counsel.
A lower court judge previously temporarily reinstated Dellinger to his position, which he was appointed to by former President Joe Biden. Now, the Department of Justice is calling on the high court to lift the judge’s order.
Dellinger has argued that by law, he can only be dismissed from his position for job performance problems, which were not cited in an email dismissing him from his post.
The Trump administration’s petition came hours after an appeals court refused to lift the order on procedural grounds, which was filed last Wednesday and is expected to expire on Feb. 26.
The case is not expected to be placed on the docket until the Supreme Court returns after the Presidents’ Day holiday weekend. Once filed, the earliest the justices will be able to act will be Tuesday.
Dellinger sued the Trump administration in D.C. federal court last Monday following his firing on Feb. 7.
Every other President has fired flunkies from the other party, upon taking office. But Trump can’t?
Do so Yes
Report: Trump Admin. Seeks Permission To Fire Head Of The Office Of Special Counsel
FALSE. He seeks a ruling that the President doesn’t need permission to fire ANYONE in the executive branch.