White House says some employees were fired by mistake

President Donald Trump's administration lodged its first emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court on Sunday, seeking to dissolve a 14-day temporary restraining order against the president's move to fire the head of the Office of Special Counsel, Hampton Dellinger.

Dellinger, who was confirmed last year, heads an independent watchdog agency tasked with enforcing ethics laws and protecting government whistleblowers. He was fired on Feb. 7 with no rationale given.

A federal district court issued a TRO against the firing, after which the U.S. Court of Appeals for D.C. on Saturday upheld the TRO, 2-1, saying the issue was not yet ripe for intervention.

As the appeal bumps the matter to the Supreme Court, a 1935 precedent is likely to come into play: Humphrey's Executor v. United States unanimously upheld Congress' ability to constrain a president's control over independent agencies. Their leaders historically can only be removed for "inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office.”

The Supreme Court is expected to weigh in over the next few days.

-ABC News' Devin Dwyer

In a stern four-page letter, a Department of Education official warned schools at every level to end discrimination on the basis of race -- or else they will face a "potential loss of federal funding." Compliance with the memo was expected within 14 days, with the letter posted Feb. 14.

"Under any banner, discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin is, has been, and will continue to be illegal," wrote the DOE's acting assistant secretary for civil rights, Craig Trainor.

Denouncing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in any form, the memo also stated that race-based decision-making, no matter the form, remains “impermissible.”

"DEI programs, for example, frequently preference certain racial groups and teach students that certain racial groups bear unique moral burdens that others do not," the letter emphasized, adding that such programs "stigmatize" students and reduce them to "crude racial stereotypes."

“The law is clear: treating students differently on the basis of race to achieve nebulous goals such as diversity, racial balancing, social justice, or equity is illegal,” the DOE memo continued.

The four-page letter was sent in the wake of Linda McMahon’s confirmation hearing last week to become the next education secretary -- during which she also disparaged DEI programs for segregating students based on race. The vote on McMahon's placement is expected Thursday.

-ABC News' Arthur Jones and Peter Charalambous

Department of Energy officials are unable to get in touch with some critical nuclear workers with the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) as they frantically attempt to rehire them, according to an internal email obtained by ABC News.

"The termination letters for some NNSA probationary employees are being rescinded, but we do not have a good way to get in touch with those personnel," the email reads.

The email asks managers to contact their employees directly because many of the terminated employees lost access to email and other government systems. Most managers are resorting to calling and texting their fired staffer’s personal phone numbers, ABC News has learned.

On Thursday, in a wave of firings across the federal government, the administration terminated roughly 300 employees with the NNSA, which is responsible for maintaining the U.S. nuclear stockpile, among other key nuclear functions.

ABC News was first to report that, after realizing the critical role these employees play in national security, the Department of Energy paused most terminations Friday and sought to "rehire" some employees.

The rehiring is currently underway. It’s unclear how many will ultimately return to work.

-ABC News' Jay Obrien

Upon returning to Palm Beach following his lap around the Daytona 500 speedway, President Donald Trump chatted with reporters as he disembarked Air Force One, primarily fielding questions about the Russia-Ukraine war.

“We're moving along. We're trying to get peace with Russia, Ukraine, and we're working very hard on it. It's a war that should have never started,” Trump said.

When asked what he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin's intentions are regarding Ukraine, Trump said he believes the leader ultimately wants the war to end.

"I think he wants to stop fighting -- I see that," Trump said while noting how Steve Witkoff, special envoy to the Middle East, met with Putin Sunday.

"We spoke long and hard. Steve Witkoff was with him for a very extended period -- like about three hours. I think he wants to stop fighting,” Trump said.

-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh