A whistleblower complaint made public this week accuses Emil Bove, President Trump’s nominee to the federal appeals court, of suggesting the Justice Department should ignore court orders blocking the deportation of Venezuelan migrants. Former DOJ lawyer Erez Reuveni, who filed the complaint, claims Bove made the remark during a March meeting, allegedly urging the department to defy judicial rulings and proceed with deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. Reuveni, later fired, says he was pressured to support legally dubious arguments and faced retaliation for raising concerns. The Justice Department denies the allegations.
Bove’s confirmation hearing is set for this week, amid broader criticism over his role in controversial DOJ actions, including the dismissal of high-profile cases and alleged efforts to suppress internal dissent.