The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to overrule a U.S. district judge’s decision and move forward with the firing of whistleblower watchdog chief Hampton Dellinger.
Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris requested that the Supreme Court vacate Amy Berman Jackson’s order allowing Dellinger to remain in his post through at least Saturday while she finalizes a final decision.
The Justice Department, however, wants President Donald Trump’s firing of Dellinger to be completed immediately.
“The government respectfully asks that this Court at a minimum continue to hold the application in abeyance, if the Court does not grant it now that the [temporary restraining order] has been extended,” Harris wrote.
Dellinger, who serves as the head of the Office of Special Counsel, sued the Trump administration earlier this month after being fired.
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Harris added in her appeal to the nation’s high court about Dellinger, “In short, a fired Special Counsel is wielding executive power, over the elected Executive’s objection, to halt employment decisions made by other executive agencies.”
If the Supreme Court decides to grant the Justice Department’s request, it could set a new precedent of the president’s authority over independent agencies.
