Whistleblower claims Justice official nominated for federal judgeship advised Trump administration to disregard court orders on deportations.

On the eve of his anticipated confirmation hearing for a federal appeals judgeship in Philadelphia, Emil Bove, a former official in the Trump administration, faces serious allegations regarding his conduct related to deportation policies. A whistleblower, Erez Reuveni, has accused Bove of suggesting that the Department of Justice should ignore court orders that hinder the deportation of individuals purportedly connected to gangs.

Bove, who served as a personal attorney for former President Donald Trump and was the principal assistant deputy attorney general, has been nominated to fill a vacancy on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which hears cases from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Virgin Islands. If confirmed, he would occupy a seat related to either New Jersey or Delaware.

The forthcoming congressional hearing on Wednesday is expected to delve into these serious allegations, which emerged from a March meeting within the Justice Department. Reuveni claimed that Bove expressed the need to defy judicial orders in situations involving Venezuelan gang members, explicitly stating that the department might need to dismiss the courts’ authority.

Reuveni, who had an extensive tenure at the DOJ, was dismissed in April after revealing that the administration had mistakenly deported an immigrant, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, back to El Salvador. Following his termination, Reuveni detailed his concerns in a letter, indicating that Bove’s comments were shocking, as no previous DOJ leadership had ever suggested such a blatant disregard for court rulings.

The scrutiny surrounding Bove is amplified by his contentious track record in law enforcement. His involvement in critical decisions, including the dismissal of charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, has drawn significant criticism. This dismissal led to a wave of resignations among federal prosecutors who protested the lack of accountability in handling corruption cases.

Senator Dick Durbin, the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has expressed explicit concerns over Bove’s nomination, criticizing his alleged abuse of authority during his tenure. In contrast, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has defended Bove, dismissing the whistleblower’s claims as unfounded. Blanche asserts that there was never any suggestion to ignore court orders during the relevant meeting and labels the timing of the allegations as an orchestrated attack on Bove’s candidacy.

As the confirmation hearing approaches, the implications of Bove’s past actions and the potential impact on his judicial behavior remain a focal point for lawmakers and the public. This situation could influence not only Bove’s confirmation but also broader discussions about judicial accountability and the integrity of immigration law enforcement.