Season 5, Episode 12 (Show 220): The Shelter From The Storm – Special Guest Hampton Dellinger

March 19, 2025

Hampton Dellinger, until recently the Special Counsel of the United States,  joins us to discuss his story, the work of the special counsel, and his thinking when upon his firing, he took President Trump to Court, having initial sucess before he ultimately dropped his case.

CLE Credit Available for this episode from podcast.njsba.com.

President Trump has been firing various Federal officials, many of whom serve pursuant to statutes that claim to provide protection against firing without cause.  One of the most prominent, Hampton Dellinger, who served as Special Counsel of the United States, took the President to Court, winning at the Federal District Court before losing on appeal.  Why did he sue?  Why did he drop his case? What are the implications for the other firings being contested, and what does it mean for the office of the Special Counsel itself? The Special Counsel is a haven for whistleblowers; does that, along with the statutes’ clear intent, offer him any protection? The Special Counsel also enforces the Hatch Act; we explain many of the ins and outs of that statute and how the history of the civil service is integral to understanding it.  Finally, Hampton Dellinger comes from a most distinguished family, and there are some stories to tell on that score.

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