WASHINGTON, D.C. | February 10, 2025 — In an unprecedented decision, the White House terminated U.S. Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger. Dellinger was the director of the Office of Special Counsel, an independent agency whose mission is to protect whistleblowers. Unlike Inspector Generals, the Special Counsel may only be removed for allegations of “inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.” In their brief notice, the White House raised none of these issues. Dellinger is fighting this termination in court.
In a statement, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Whistleblower Center, Stephen M. Kohn, stated:
“The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is charged with investigating allegations of corruption, fraud, waste, and abuse from federal employees. An attack on this office is an unjustifiable attack on federal employee whistleblowers and the ability of employees to report waste, fraud, and abuse.”
“The decision to terminate the Special Counsel is 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 dollars. The Office of Special Counsel also maintains confidential lists of hundreds or thousands of federal employees who have blown the whistle on serious fraud, waste, and abuse. All of whom are now in immediate danger of being exposed.”
The National Whistleblower Center issued an alert urging all Americans to contact their representatives and express concern over this action.
NWC Board Chairman Stephen M. Kohn is available for comment. For more information, contact NWC at info@whistleblowers.org.
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NWC is the leading nonprofit working with whistleblowers worldwide to fight corruption and protect people and the environment. For over 30 years, NWC has won policies to protect whistleblowers from retaliation and reward them for helping deliver criminal and civil penalties against wrongdoers. It is a trusted advocate for whistleblowers and a key player in the fight for government accountability and transparency.
