Another day, another melodrama.
Unsurprisingly, the latest round of melodrama centers on increasing judicial chaos … though in this instance, the chaos pertains to a nominee who has not yet been confirmed.
And that nominee, rather surprisingly, may well run into issues due to President Trump’s longstanding issues with U.S District Judge James E. Boasberg.
As revealed in a report from AP News, Trump is aiming to promote Emil Bove – his former criminal defense lawyer and current Justice Department official – to the federal appeals court.
“Emil is SMART, TOUGH, and respected by everyone … He will end the Weaponization of Justice, restore the Rule of Law, and do anything else that is necessary to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. Emil Bove will never let you down!” Trump declared.
However, per some individuals, Bove might be too tough.
As in instructing the DOJ to tell various courts to “f— off” tough.
As detailed in another report from AP News, former government lawyer Erez Reuveni was presumably fired from the Justice Department “after resisting efforts to defy judges and make arguments in court that were false or had no legal basis.”
Apparently, Reuveni was not keen to tell various judges to “f— off.”
And while Reuveni remains the only whistleblower to come forward at the time of this writing, Senator Cory Booker and Senator Andy Kim are certainly taking his word seriously.
“Judges must be committed to upholding the rule of law, due process, and fairness … Emil Bove’s actions have compromised our faith that he can be this,” the senators declared in an official statement.
The anti-Bove sentiment accelerated as Bove’s confirmation hearing approached, particularly following Reuveni’s accusations.
“Mr. Reuveni was stunned by Bove’s statement because, to Mr. Reuveni’s knowledge, no one in DOJ leadership – in any Administration – had ever suggested the Department of Justice could blatantly ignore court orders, especially with an expletive … In the weeks following the meeting, Reuveni says he raised concerns in several cases about efforts to violate court orders through ‘lack of candor, deliberate delay and disinformation,’” the filling detailed.
Rather strong accusations, to put it mildly.
“The consequences of DOJ’s actions Mr. Reuveni reports have grave impacts not only for the safety of individuals removed from the country in violation of court orders, but also for the constitutional rights and protections of all persons – citizen and noncitizen alike – who are potential victims of flagrant deliberate disregard of due process and the rule of law by the agency charged with upholding it,” the filling continued.
And that’s precisely where the major challenge emerges – the ongoing dispute over the degree to which due process is applicable under various acts invoked by the executive branch.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has resoundingly dismissed the testimony of Reuveni, claiming that it was effectively fake news.
“Planting a false hit piece the day before a confirmation hearing is something we have come to expect from the media, but it does not mean it should be tolerated,” Blanche asserted on X.
Bove himself also categorically denied the accusation in a hearing with the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“I have never advised a Department of Justice attorney to violate a court order … I don’t think there’s any validity to the suggestion that that whistleblower complaint filed yesterday calls into question my qualifications to serve as a circuit judge,” Bove asserted.
Nonetheless, many senators remain unconvinced.
“I want to thank Mr. Reuveni for exercising his right to speak up and bring accountability to Mr. Bove … And I implore my Senate Republican colleagues: do not turn a blind eye to the dire consequences of confirming Mr. Bove to a lifetime position as a circuit court judge,” Senator Dick Durbin remarked.
Will Bove ultimately be confirmed, despite the controversy?
Stay tuned for even more judicial melodrama in the near-future.
Author: Ofelia Thornton
