🤖 AI Summary
Overview
This episode delves into the whistleblower complaint filed by Erez Reuveni, a former Department of Justice (DOJ) attorney, who alleges that senior officials in the Trump administration pressured government lawyers to lie to courts and disregard judicial orders. Reuveni recounts his experiences, the ethical dilemmas he faced, and the events leading to his firing after 15 years of service.
Notable Quotes
- The Trump administration has put civil servants in this impossible position of fealty to the president and the agenda or fealty to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law.
– Erez Reuveni, on the ethical crossroads faced by DOJ attorneys.
- "If some court were to issue some order that prevents that from happening, we would have to consider telling that court, ‘F** you.’* – **Erez Reuveni**, quoting Emil Bovey during a DOJ meeting.
I didn’t sign up to lie."* – Erez Reuveni, on refusing to submit false statements to the court.
- *
🛡️ The Role of DOJ Attorneys and Ethical Expectations
- Reuveni joined the DOJ with an idealistic vision of public service, inspired by the principle that government lawyers must ensure justice, not just win cases.
- He described his early years at the DOJ as fulfilling, even when defending controversial policies like the 2017 travel ban, as long as actions stayed within legal boundaries.
- The shift in the DOJ’s culture during Trump’s second term, particularly the disregard for court orders, marked a stark departure from these principles.
⚖️ The "F* YouDoctrine and Disregard for Court Orders**
no matter what,
- Reuveni detailed a March 2025 meeting where Emil Bovey, a senior DOJ official, emphasized that deportation flights must proceedeven if courts intervened.
F*** you" approach to the judiciary.
- This directive was followed by actions that ignored judicial restraining orders, including deporting individuals to El Salvador despite explicit legal prohibitions.
- Reuveni accused colleagues of lying to judges about these operations, describing it as the operationalization of the
✈️ Deportations and Fabricated Claims
- In one case, DOJ officials attempted to falsely label a deported individual as an MS-13 gang leader to justify their actions.
- Reuveni resisted signing court briefs containing fabricated claims, leading to his removal from the case and eventual firing.
- He highlighted the deliberate withholding of guidance to agencies like ICE, ensuring plausible deniability for violations of court orders.
🚨 Whistleblowing and Retaliation
- Reuveni filed a whistleblower complaint, alleging systemic misconduct and ethical breaches within the DOJ.
- He described his firing as a warning shot to other DOJ attorneys, signaling that loyalty to the administration’s agenda was prioritized over adherence to the law.
- Despite fears of retaliation and professional risks, Reuveni emphasized the importance of documenting these abuses for future accountability.
🏛️ Implications for the Rule of Law
- Reuveni expressed concern about the erosion of the DOJ’s integrity, describing the culture as deeply entrenched and resistant to change.
- He framed his whistleblowing as a canary in the coal mine
moment, urging others to speak out against similar ethical violations.
- The episode concluded with the revelation that Emil Bovey, central to the allegations, was nominated for a lifetime federal judgeship, raising further questions about accountability.
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📋 Episode Description
Warning: This episode contains strong language.
An explosive whistle-blower report claims that the Justice Department is asking government lawyers to lie to the courts, and that this has forced career officials to chose between upholding the Constitution and pledging loyalty to the president.
Rachel Abrams speaks to the whistle-blower about his career in the Justice Department and his complaint saying he was fired for telling the truth.
Guest: Erez Reuveni, who filed a whistle-blower complaint against the Department of Justice.
Background reading:
- Mr. Reuveni has warned of an assault on the law by the Trump administration.
- At the Justice Department, Emil Bove III suggested violating court orders, according to the complaint.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Photo: Kent Nishimura for The New York Times
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