A federal district court had sided with Mr. Dellinger.
Judge Amy Berman Jackson, an Obama appointee, ruled last weekend that the special counsel occupied a unique role in government, with duties to report to the president, Congress and the public.
She said Mr. Trump’s attempt to fire him was “unlawful” and issued an injunction to keep him in office while the legal battle developed.
The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia stayed that decision in an order Wednesday night.
That meant Mr. Dellinger could have continued the challenge to his firing but could not hold the office as the case proceeded.
“I strongly disagree with the circuit court’s decision, but I accept and will abide by it. That’s what Americans do,” he said.