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A federal agency head, recently reinstated following his dismissal by Donald Trump, challenged the administration’s approach to terminating federal workers on Monday.
Hampton Dellinger, who leads the Office of Special Counsel, expressed concerns about dismissing probationary employees without individual cause, suggesting such actions conflict with established legal frameworks, particularly those governing workforce reductions.
“Since the Civil Service Reform Act was passed in 1978, the merit system principles have guided how federal government agencies hire, manage, and, if necessary, remove federal employees,” Dellinger wrote in a statement. “These principles establish that all federal employees, including those in a probationary status, should be evaluated based on individual performance.”
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Taking action, Dellinger sought to protect six probationary employees by requesting the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) halt their terminations, while signaling his intention to assist others in similar situations.
The matter gained attention after federal workers facing termination, supported by Democracy Forward, submitted a complaint to Dellinger in mid-February.
Trump Files Emergency Appeal With SCOTUS To Allow Hampton Dellinger Termination
The Trump administration wants the Supreme Court to allow the termination of Hampton Dellinger who was the leader of the Office of Special Counsel.
That's according to documents and would mark the… pic.twitter.com/wIEHFwDKGi
— Christina Aguayo (@ChristinaNewstv) February 17, 2025
“We are honored to represent federal employees in this matter and are pleased about this development,” Democracy Forward CEO Skye Perryman wrote in a statement. “We will continue to urge OSC and the MSPB to follow the law, protect federal workers, investigate misconduct, and uphold the independence and integrity of our civil service. We will use all legal tools to defend the very people who serve the American people.”
Dellinger’s involvement follows his own legal battle with Trump, who fired him earlier this month. A federal judge subsequently issued a temporary restraining order reinstating him.
The Supreme Court declined to intervene in the administration’s request to lift the order, which remains effective until February 26. Trump’s team characterized the order as an “unprecedented assault on the separation of powers.”
The matter will proceed to a district court hearing this Wednesday.
