A federal judge has allowed the head of a U.S. watchdog agency targeted for dismissal by Donald Trump to remain in his job for at least two more weeks as she considers whether the Republican president has the power to fire him.

The order from U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, issued late on Wednesday, will keep Hampton Dellinger as head of the Office of Special Counsel through at least February 26. Jackson had earlier reinstated Dellinger on a temporary basis after Trump dismissed him.

Lawyers for the Trump administration appealed the decision.

The judge's action temporarily blocks Trump from installing Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins to lead the office, which takes in complaints of government wrongdoing and investigates retaliation against whistleblowers.