February 14th 2025

Normal Judicial Proceedings Playing Out

In addition to the lawsuit filed by Hampton Y. Dellinger (please use Thurston Howell voice) to keep his job as head of Office of Special Counsel, a member of the Merit Systems Protection Board–the board that handles Hatch Act complaints filed by OSC–is suing to keep her job after being fired by the president this week.

Cathy Harris was appointed by Biden to the 3-person board in 2022. It is a 7-year term. But she was informed on Feb 10 that her services were no longer needed.

“The one-sentence email does not allege any inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office by Ms. Harris, nor is there any basis for such an allegation. In flagrant disregard for the clear statutory text, Ms. Harris was purportedly terminated without basis, justification or authority,” her attorneys wrote.

And in perhaps the most telling reason why she should be removed, Harris wrote this:

“The MSPB’s ability to protect the civil service is needed now more than ever. Over the preceding three weeks, an unprecedented number of federal employees with civil service protections have been placed on administrative leave with a threat that their due process rights and civil service protections will be taken away. Senior career officials have been purged from the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Eighteen Inspectors General from across the federal government have been removed without the justification required by statute. And hundreds of federal employees have been locked out of their computer systems by the U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization.”

The case is before DC Judge Rudy Contreras. A hearing was held yesterday on a temporary restraining order; he is expected to issue his decision—very likely stepping in line with his DC colleagues to issue the TRO–later today.

But remember everyone, this is NO BIG DEAL just normal judicial proceedings that need to play out with no harm done to the presidency or his administration!

===Julie Kelly