Overview

• A whistleblower complaint from former DOJ attorney Erez Reuveni alleges that in a March meeting Bove said the department should consider telling courts “f—k you” to press ahead with deportations under the Alien Enemies Act.
• During his June 25 confirmation hearing, Bove rejected the claims, stating he never advised any Justice Department attorney to violate court orders and noting Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s support for his account.
• Reuveni was fired in April after admitting in federal court that DOJ had mistakenly deported Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador.
• Bove’s tenure has been marked by other controversies, including the dismissal of corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the firing of prosecutors handling January 6 cases.
• The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on Bove’s nomination to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals within the next few weeks.