PRESIDENT Donald Trump appealed to the United States Supreme Court today to allow him to fire the head of an independent ethics agency that protects government whistleblowers.

In the latest of his administration’s attempts for full control, Mr Trump filed an emergency appeal seeking a ruling on whether he can dismiss US Office of Special Counsel head Hampton Dellinger.

Mr Trump has cut more than a dozen inspectors general from multiple federal agencies and fired thousands of government workers as part of a cost-cutting initiative led by billionaire Elon Musk.

Mr Dellinger who was fired by email earlier this month, sued the administration, arguing that his removal violated a law that protects leaders of independent agencies from being dismissed by the president unless there is evidence of “neglect of duty, malfeasance or inefficiency.”

The agency investigates whistleblower complaints about misconduct within federal agencies and enforces the Hatch Act, which restricts political activity by federal employees.

A federal judge in Washington DC issued a temporary order on Wednesday allowing Mr Dellinger to remain in his position while the case is considered.

On Saturday, the Court of Appeals rejected the Trump administration’s request to overturn the lower court’s ruling.

Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris, appointed by Mr Trump last month, wrote in the Supreme Court filing: “This court should not allow lower courts to seize executive power by dictating to the president how long he must continue employing an agency head against his will.

“Until now, as far as we are aware, no court in American history has wielded an injunction to force the president to retain an agency head.”

Mr Trump’s orders on immigration, transgender issues and government spending have also been challenged in multiple lawsuits in lower courts, with several cases expected to reach the Supreme Court.