Washington, DC, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has stayed a district court’s permanent injunction, which would have allowed Hampton Dellinger to remain head of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) despite President Donald Trump’s firing him. The D.C. Circuit’s decision means Mr. Dellinger is instead removed from office as President Trump directed. Following the circuit court’s ruling, Dellinger announced he will end his lawsuit. The New Civil Liberties Alliance had filed an amicus curiae brief in Bessent v. Dellinger at the U.S. Supreme Court during an earlier stage of the case, pointing out that the President has absolute constitutional authority to remove top executive branch officials at will—particularly from agencies like OSC led by a single head. NCLA commends the D.C. Circuit for ending the district court’s interference with the President’s removal power, which ensures federal officials’ full accountability to the elected Chief Executive.
The Constitution vests all executive power in the President. The Founders understood that “executive power” included the ability to execute the law, as well as the nation’s action, strength, or force. That understanding confirms a President’s broad authority to remove executive branch officials. As the Supreme Court held in 2020 in Seila Law v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the President …
