Trump Fires Chief of U.S. Office of Government Ethics

US President Donald Trump on Monday fired the top official at the federal government's ethics agency, the Office of Government Ethics, David Huitema.

The office posted on its website that Trump had fired its director, David Huitema, following the announcement by Hampton Dellinger who filed a lawsuit today, alleging that he was illegally removed from his position as head of the Office of the Special Counsel (OSC).

Dellinger and Huitema were both confirmed by the Senate last year to serve five-year terms. His removal comes as Trump is testing the limits of well-established civil service protections by moving to dismantle federal agencies and oust officials.

Huitema said he was notified of his dismissal by email over the weekend, without any explanation. In an interview, he said he was "extremely disappointed," adding that he was committed to the mission of the office and its staff "who represent the best of public service."

Dellinger was fired in an email sent Friday night by the White House personnel director. Dellinger noted in his lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, that special counsels can be removed by the president "only for inefficiency, neglect of duty or misconduct in office."

"The effort to remove me has no factual or legal basis — none — which means it is illegal," Dellinger wrote in an email. The chief of staff is seeking a court order declaring his dismissal unlawful and reinstating him as a special adviser.

The OSC investigates reports of retaliation by whistleblowers, can initiate disciplinary proceedings against employees who punish whistleblowers, and provides a channel for employees to disclose government wrongdoing.

Stephen Kohn, chairman of the board of directors of the National Whistleblower Center, called Dellinger's firing "irresponsible and dangerous."

 "This action undermines a critical government program that has saved taxpayers billions of dollars and is designed to encourage reporting of waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer money," Kohn said in a statement.

"In addition, the Office of Special Counsel maintains confidential lists of hundreds or thousands of federal employees who have reported serious fraud, waste, and abuse. All of them are now in immediate danger of being exposed," he added.

The OSC is also responsible for enforcing the Hatch Act, which restricts the partisan political activities of public employees. Dellinger's firing comes as Trump administration officials have expressed support for his social media policies, despite the Hatch Act being designed to restrict political advocacy while in office.

The independent agency is separate from the Justice Department's special counsels, who are appointed by the attorney general for specific investigations, like Jack Smith.

Prior to taking the OSC position, Dellinger served as Deputy Attorney General in the Biden administration’s Department of Justice, overseeing its Office of Legal Policy. He also served as an assistant attorney general in the North Carolina Department of Justice and was chief legal counsel in the North Carolina governor's office.