Trump Judicial Nominee Emil Bove: “I’m Not Anybody’s Henchman”/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Trump judicial nominee Emil Bove denied under oath that he ever advised DOJ attorneys to ignore court orders, countering a whistleblower’s claims. The whistleblower, a fired DOJ lawyer, alleges Bove supported defying judicial authority to carry out Trump-era deportation strategies. Bove and top officials, including the White House, strongly rejected the allegations as false and politically motivated.
Quick Look
- Bove’s defense: Emil Bove asserts he never advised DOJ attorneys to flout court orders, challenging whistleblower allegations.
- Whistleblower’s claim: A former DOJ lawyer says Bove suggested ignoring potential judicial blocks on Trump-era deportation tactics.
- White House support: Bove’s defenders—including DOJ leadership and the White House—say the accusations are false and politically timed.
Trump Judicial Nominee Emil Bove: “I’m Not Anybody’s Henchman”
Deep Look
WASHINGTON (AP) — Emil Bove, President Trump’s nominee for the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, forcefully rejected accusations Wednesday that he encouraged Justice Department attorneys to ignore court orders tied to Trump-era deportation policies. His denial came during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, following revelations from a whistleblower’s complaint.
“I am not anybody’s henchman,” Bove said. “I’m not an enforcer. I’m a lawyer from a small town, who never expected to be in an arena like this.”
Whistleblower Allegations:
Whistleblower Erez Reuveni, a former DOJ attorney terminated in April, claimed that during a March meeting concerning Trump’s efforts to deport Salvadoran national Kilmar Abrego Garcia under the Alien Enemies Act, Bove suggested ignoring possible judicial orders blocking those deportations. Reuveni, fired after Abrego Garcia’s deportation to El Salvador and subsequent incarceration—an outcome he later admitted was a mistake in court—filed a formal complaint on Tuesday urging congressional and inspector general investigations.
In the complaint, attorneys for Reuveni quoted him saying Bove “used a profanity” and urged DOJ to tell courts to “ignore any such order” if a judge intervened. The whistleblower said this reflected a broader strategy within DOJ, aligning with Trump’s border enforcement priorities.
Nominee’s Rebuttal:
Testifying before the Senate panel, Bove responded firmly:
“I have never advised a Department of Justice attorney to violate a court order. I don’t think there’s any validity to the suggestion that that whistleblower complaint … calls into question my qualifications.”
Bove, previously a federal prosecutor and defense counsel in high-profile Trump-related cases—including the hush-money trial—said he never gave guidance encouraging defiance of judicial authority.
Institutional Pushback:
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, stating he attended the same meeting, described the allegations as “utterly false.” In a post on X, Blanche emphasized that no DOJ official ever proposed disobeying court orders. White House spokesperson Harrison Fields echoed that Bove is a “constitutional conservative” whose record should “make him a shoo-in for the Third Circuit.”
Why It Matters:
The drama unfolds amid heated confirmation hearings for Bove. If confirmed, he’d serve on the influential 3rd Circuit, which covers Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Critics worry that the whistleblower’s claims reflect an alarming disregard for checks and balances—particularly safeguarding judicial authority and fair legal processes in deportation policy.
Trump-Era Controversies:
The allegations surface alongside other contentious Bove actions, including his DOJ-led dismissal of a federal public corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. That decision triggered internal dissent at the DOJ and prompted resignations, with prosecutors suggesting the department was pressuring Adams in exchange for support on Trump’s immigration agenda.
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