‘Ignore the Court!’: Fired DOJ Lawyer Erez Reuveni exposes Trump-Era abuses in explosive 60 Minutes interview
Erez Reuveni reveals DOJ corruption on 60 Minutes. Image Source: 60 Minutes
In a shocking 60 Minutes interview, Erez Reuveni, a veteran Department of Justice lawyer fired earlier this year, revealed explosive allegations of misconduct and political corruption within the Trump-era DOJ. Reuveni, who served for 15 years and oversaw more than 100 government attorneys, said he was terminated after refusing to sign a false court document that falsely branded an immigrant a terrorist.
The whistleblower’s claims have ignited a firestorm in Washington, raising urgent questions about abuse of power, court defiance, and the erosion of justice under political pressure.
“Ignore the Courts”: How the DOJ Allegedly Defied Federal Judges
According to Reuveni, the breaking point came during a March 2025 meeting led by Emil Bove, then a senior Trump DOJ appointee. Bove allegedly told lawyers that deportation flights “had to take off, no matter what,” even if federal courts ordered them to stop.
When a lawyer questioned the legality of the move, Bove allegedly replied, “If a court tells you no, you tell that court, f*** you.”
The order, Reuveni said, was not rhetorical. Just hours after a judge issued an injunction, detainees were deported in open violation of the law.
“That was the moment I knew the rule of law was gone,” Reuveni told 60 Minutes. “We were no longer working for justice—we were working for politics.”
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False Testimony and Retaliation: The Whistleblower’s Breaking Point
Reuveni recounted how he was later instructed to sign a false brief accusing Venezuelan national Kilmar Abrego Garcia of being a terrorist and gang member, claims he said were baseless. When he refused, he was swiftly removed from his post and later fired.
“I wasn’t going to lie to a federal judge,” Reuveni said. “They wanted me to argue against returning a man deported illegally. That was the end for me.”
Legal experts have called Reuveni’s account “a historic breach of ethics.” Former acting Attorney General Peter Keisler said, “Defying a court order or misleading a judge is the highest violation of a lawyer’s duty.”
Legal Experts Warn of ‘A Crisis for the Rule of Law’
The allegations have drawn widespread concern from legal scholars. Ryan Goodman, a constitutional law professor at NYU, said Reuveni’s testimony reflects a disturbing pattern.
“In over 35 cases, judges found that DOJ lawyers provided false or misleading information,” Goodman noted. “That’s not normal. It’s a collapse of institutional trust.”
The Government Accountability Project, representing Reuveni, filed a whistleblower complaint alleging retaliation and obstruction of justice. If proven, the actions could constitute criminal violations, including obstruction under 18 U.S.C. §1505 and fraud upon the court.
Congress Calls for Investigation as DOJ Silence Deepens
Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee are now demanding access to DOJ communications and records tied to the deportation orders and disciplinary actions against Reuveni. Despite mounting public pressure, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Emil Bove, and other officials named in Reuveni’s claims have declined interviews or denied wrongdoing.
Bove, recently confirmed for a federal judgeship, dismissed the allegations as “falsehoods and distortions.” But the Supreme Court’s unanimous April 2025 ruling, which affirmed that deportees had been denied due process, appears to validate key parts of Reuveni’s story.
A Fight for the Soul of American Justice
Reuveni said his decision to come forward wasn’t about politics, it was about honoring his oath to the Constitution.
“I joined the DOJ to do justice,” he said. “If a government lawyer must choose between obeying the Constitution or keeping his job, then democracy itself is on trial.”
The case of Erez Reuveni has become more than a whistleblower story, it’s a test of whether truth can survive in a system designed to silence it.
FAQs About Erez Reuveni and the DOJ Whistleblower Case
Who is Erez Reuveni?
Erez Reuveni is a former Department of Justice attorney who worked for 15 years specializing in immigration law. He gained national attention after revealing alleged Trump-era abuses of power and court defiance during a 60 Minutes interview.
What did Erez Reuveni expose?
Reuveni exposed internal DOJ directives that allegedly encouraged ignoring court orders and deporting detainees illegally. He also claimed he was fired for refusing to sign a false brief accusing a man of terrorism.
What was the illegal deportation case mentioned?
Reuveni referenced the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Venezuelan man wrongly deported under the Alien Enemies Act. The DOJ allegedly ignored a federal injunction and later attempted to justify the action with false claims.
Who was involved in the scandal?
Senior Trump DOJ appointee Emil Bove, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and DOJ lawyer Drew Ensign were all named in the controversy. Bove has denied instructing lawyers to defy court orders.
What are the legal implications of Reuveni’s claims?
If proven, the actions described could constitute obstruction of justice, retaliation against a federal employee, and fraud upon the court, all serious federal violations.
How has the DOJ responded?
The DOJ has largely remained silent. Officials have denied wrongdoing, while whistleblower advocates and members of Congress are pushing for an independent investigation.
What is the Government Accountability Project’s role?
The Government Accountability Project represents Reuveni in his whistleblower case, arguing that his firing was unlawful retaliation for refusing to engage in unethical conduct.
Why is this story significant?
Reuveni’s revelations raise fundamental concerns about the integrity of the Justice Department and the separation of powers, core principles of American democracy.
