Staff Reports
In a classic display of the Democratic party’s love for bureaucracy, Massachusetts Representative Ayanna Pressley is rallying a task force of House Democrats in a letter of support for U.S. special counsel Hampton Dellinger. This move comes amid an increasingly predictable spat between Dellinger and former President Donald Trump over some firings that the former president deemed necessary. According to Pressley and her comrades, Dellinger is an essential “independent watchdog” for federal employees—an impressive title for someone competing against the realities of government inefficiency.
Dellinger, who found himself on the chopping block thanks to Trump’s penchant for streamlining government, is now fighting to keep his job. A judge has ruled in favor of keeping Dellinger on as the case unfolds, which might just be a stance in line with Pressley’s insistence that he stand firm in the face of presidential pushback. The irony is unmistakable: Democrats, known for their endless support of government oversight when they are in charge, suddenly morph into defenders of federal power amidst a regime change.
Pressley led more than 80 of her colleagues in a push to convince Dellinger that his role is critical, urging him to “ensure federal workers are protected from abuse.” This raises some eyebrows, considering that “abuse” can often be subjective in the bloated world of federal employment. Make no mistake, this plea isn’t about protecting hard-working employees; it’s about maintaining the swamp’s status quo. In the real world, hammering home the need for “protection” doesn’t quite resonate when those same workers are supported by layers upon layers of bureaucratic safeguards that already exist.
Dellinger isn’t simply sitting around, though. As the so-called guardian of federal employees, he’s made headlines for challenging the firings of six probationary employees. Given that thousands were let go during the Trump administration, his focus on this small sample might seem like little more than a vocal warm-up for the Democrat choir. One has to wonder how much investigative intrigue can be squeezed from six cases amidst the thousands of dismissals. In his admirable quest for justice, Dellinger is tugging on the Merit Systems Protection Board for a 45-day “pause” on firings, as if federal employment should somehow be treated like an episode of a reality TV show with endless do-overs.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley leads House Dems backing special counsel’s fight with Trumphttps://t.co/ABoq2bOmrk pic.twitter.com/scp882lIBM
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) March 3, 2025
Pressley’s letter even implores Dellinger to go beyond just the insignificant six employees and take action against the “agency officials who carried out the illegal scheme.” Legal terms are bandied about as if they were ingredients for a five-star dish, yet one can’t help but see the hypocrisy at play. It’s always the ongoing clash of governance vs. individual agency, with Democrats seemingly opting to wield intimidation over actual accountability when their party holds the reins.
Meanwhile, Trump’s legal team is petitioning the Supreme Court to kick Dellinger out of his post. The rationale behind this maneuver is straightforward: Dellinger’s antics, which are perceived as obstructing the executive branch, are seen as potential roadblocks for any president attempting to execute their agenda. It’s a classic case of the establishment fighting back, and it seems there are no lengths to which they won’t go to maintain their control over the levers of power—even when the voters have voiced their desire for a different approach.
