A judge appointed by President Obama ruled that Donald Trump can fire Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger while his case is under appeal.

Dellinger, appointed by President Biden to protect federal whistleblowers, was dismissed by Trump via email in January.

U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson had reinstated him, but the D.C. Court of Appeals unanimously overturned that decision on March 5. The court found Trump met legal standards for removal of executive officers. Judges on the panel were appointed by Presidents Bush, Obama, and Trump. Jackson criticized the White House for claiming reinstating Dellinger would disrupt operations, calling the argument ironic. Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris argued courts cannot interfere with the president’s constitutional removal powers. The appeals court scheduled a briefing timeline through April but has not set oral arguments. Conservatives praised the ruling, while liberals criticized it online. The case remains central to Trump’s broader efforts to reshape federal staffing.