Lawyers say whistleblower's texts bolster claim that Emil Bove suggested defying court orders
Source: ABC News
Attorneys for a fired DOJ official-turned-whistleblower released a series of emails and texts Thursday that they say bolster claims that Emil Bove -- a top Trump appointee to the Justice Department now in line for a powerful judicial appointment -- repeatedly suggested defying orders from courts to enforce the administration's immigration policies.
The messages, from former immigration attorney Erez Reuveni, provide a real-time look at the internal scramble among top Justice Department and other administration officials as they sought to defend the legality of several rushed deportation efforts that have since become the subject of high-stakes legal challenges.
According to lawyers for Reuveni and Senate Democrats who released the messages, they also provide clear support for Reuveni's initial whistleblower disclosure, which came just a day before Bove was set to appear for his confirmation hearing for a seat on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
According to the complaint, Reuveni said that in a March 14 meeting on the eve of the administration carrying out its initial wave of deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, Bove allegedly remarked that DOJ would need to consider telling the courts "f--- you" in response to any order that sought to enjoin the removals.
Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/US/lawyers-whistleblowers-texts-bolster-claim-emil-bove-suggested/story?id=123648957