
Watchdog launches records lawsuit to obtain Emil Bove communications
American Oversight seeks to enforce seven Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests it made in February and March, filing the new lawsuit in the lead-up to Bove's confirmation to a federal judgeship.
'Through Defendant's failure to respond to American Oversight's FOIA request within the time period required by law, American Oversight has exhausted its administrative remedies and now seeks immediate judicial review,' the lawsuit states.
Bove has faced several controversies during his brief tenure. The whistleblower, Erez Reuveni, accused the judicial nominee of saying during a March meeting that the department may need to tell the courts 'f— you' if they try to block swift deportations under the Alien Enemies Act.
Reuveni was fired from the DOJ's immigration section after telling a judge in a separate case that officials had mistakenly deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador's notorious CECOT megaprison.
The FOIA requests include a demand for communications sent by Reuveni, Bove and other top department leadership that mention the prison, the Alien Enemies Act or related terms.
'Over the past six months, information has come to light suggesting that Mr. Bove may have violated his ethical obligations and acted to defy the Constitution and the rule of law, including, most recently, reports that he encouraged other DOJ attorneys to defy court orders,' the lawsuit notes.
Another records request seeks the official's communications involving New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) and any notes from a Jan. 31 meeting about his criminal corruption case. Bove played a key role in pressuring prosecutors to drop the charges against Adams, sparking a wave of prosecutorial resignations before Bove himself signed the motion.
American Oversight previously filed a bar complaint against Bove in New York alleging he potentially committed professional misconduct in the case.
The watchdog group's lawsuit also seeks communications between Bove and Stephen Miller, the architect of the White House's immigration policy; any emails the judicial nominee sent mentioning ethics and employee discipline; any emails he had with tech billionaire Elon Musk or Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) personnel; and any communications Bove sent or received mentioning FBI Director Kash Patel.
Bove had given the order to dismiss prosecutors who worked on the cases of those involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, and demanded a list of FBI agents who worked on such cases.
One of President Trump's former personal criminal defense attorneys, Bove joined DOJ upon Trump's inauguration as its acting No. 2 official. Once Todd Blanche was confirmed to the post, Bove became principal associate deputy attorney general.
Now, the president has nominated Bove to a judgeship on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Democrats scrutinized Bove at his confirmation hearing last month, and his committee vote is expected in the coming weeks.
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USA Today
6 minutes ago
- USA Today
What to know on Trump, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Jeffrey Epstein files: The latest
The Justice Department talked to Jeffrey Epstein's ex-girlfriend, convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, after weeks of bubbling outrage over a memo that appeared to close the Epstein case. Over two days, Justice Department officials questioned Jeffrey Epstein's ex-girlfriend, convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, as the White House continues to battle calls for more transparency over what Epstein did and who else may have been involved. It's unclear what came out of the interview, but Maxwell's lawyer David Markus said his client answered all of the government's questions, which covered about 100 people. "She answered questions about everybody and she didn't hold anything back," Markus said, without specifying who was mentioned. The Justice Department didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on what came out of the interview. The talks follow more than two weeks of bubbling outrage from members of President Donald Trump's base over the department's announcement in early July that it won't release its files on Epstein. DOJ said a systematic review of the files didn't turn up any list of clients involved in Epstein's crimes. Even some congressional Republicans have clamored for the files' release or introduced legislation to try to force the Trump administration's hand. Republican leadership has so far blocked the legislation and White House officials continue to resist those calls. Still, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has suggested that Maxwell could reveal new details about Epstein's circle and crimes. Here is all the latest on the fallout: July 25: Maxwell lawyer signals desire for pardon Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of trafficking a minor to Epstein for sexual abuse, and for conspiring to entice and transport minors for illegal sex acts. She is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence, and has an appeal pending at the U.S. Supreme Court. Markus indicated July 25 that his client could ask for a pardon soon, following the two days she spent talking to Justice Department officials July 24-25. "We haven't spoken to the president or anybody about a pardon just yet," he said. "The president this morning said he had the power to do so. We hope he exercises that power in the right and just way." Trump has the power to pardon Maxwell fully as well as to commute her prison sentence. But to many, that might look more like reducing than enhancing accountability – especially if Maxwell offers little in return. In the morning on July 25, Trump said he hasn't thought about pardoning Maxwell, but also didn't rule it out. "I'm allowed to do it, but it's something I have not thought about," Trump said. "I certainly can't talk about pardons now." July 25: 16% of voters in poll approve of Trump administration on Epstein Only 16% of of voters who responded to a poll released July 25 by Emerson College Polling approved of the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein files. Fifty-one percent disapproved, while 33% were neutral. The poll surveyed 1,400 U.S. voters from July 21-22. Its margin of error is ±2.5 points, according to the polling organization. July 23: Florida judge shields Epstein grand jury testimony In addition to approaching Maxwell, the Justice Department asked federal judges in Florida and New York to unseal transcripts of testimony before grand juries investigating Epstein and Maxwell. If judges allow for the transcripts' release, the department said it will first redact both victim-related information and personal identifying information from the transcripts. On July 23, federal Judge Judge Robin L. Rosenberg rejected the request in Florida, writing that she doesn't have the power to order the records' release because of a past ruling from an appeals court that presides over her trial court. Judges in New York haven't yet ruled on the administration's requests there. July 23: Reports emerge that AG Bondi told Trump in May he is named in Epstein files Attorney General Pam Bondi told Trump in May that he was named multiple times in the government's files on Jeffrey Epstein, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal and CNN. A White House official did not dispute that Trump's name is mentioned in the Epstein files, telling USA TODAY that briefing binders Bondi prepared for MAGA influencers in February included the president's name. But the official rejected any suggestion that Trump engaged in wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. Being named doesn't mean the person did anything criminal. July 22: House Speaker Mike Johnson starts summer recess early to avoid Epstein House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, announced on July 22 he is shutting down the House for its summer recess early to avoid a vote on releasing the Epstein files. Johnson said there was "no daylight" between the Trump administration and the House, and the White House needed "space" to address the issue. Members of Congress were scheduled to leave Washington for several weeks starting July 24, but Johnson said he would cut the schedule short and end with votes on July 23. Johnson took that step after Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, and Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, co-sponsored legislation calling for the release of the government's Epstein records. July 22: New footage shows Epstein at Trump wedding Archived video footage and photos revealed by CNN July 22 showed Jeffrey Epstein attended Trump's wedding to Marla Maples at the Plaza Hotel in 1993. Maples is the second of Trump's three wives. The couple divorced in 1999. "You've got to be kidding me," Trump told CNN when asked about the wedding photos on a phone call. He called the outlet "fake news" and hung up. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said the images were "out-of-context frame grabs of innocuous videos and pictures of widely attended events to disgustingly infer something nefarious." July 22: House committee agrees to seek Maxwell testimony The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee agreed on July 22 to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell to testify. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tennessee, said he pressed for the subpoena in order to learn more about Epstein's criminal conduct. 'This deposition will help the American people understand how Jeffrey Epstein was able to carry out his evil actions for so long without being brought to justice,' Burchett said. July 18: Trump sues Wall Street Journal over lewd Epstein birthday letter On July 17, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump sent Epstein a lewd birthday letter for his 50th birthday, which took place in early 2003. Trump called the letter a "FAKE" on social media July 17 and sued the newspaper's publisher for libel on July 18. The letter contains typewritten dialogue between "Donald" and "Jeffrey," and at a later point "Trump." In the dialogue, "Donald" says, "We have certain things in common, Jeffrey" and that, "Enigmas never age, have you noticed that?" The dialogue ends with "Trump" saying, "A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret." The dialogue is encased within a seemingly hand-drawn outline of a naked woman, the Journal reported. The letter includes a pair of arcs denoting the woman's breasts, and a "Donald" squiggly signature mimicking pubic hair. USA TODAY could not verify the details or origin of the letter. Contributing: Joey Garrison, Bart Jansen, Melina Khan, Savannah Kuchar, Christopher Cann - USA TODAY
Yahoo
2 hours ago
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On This Day, July 26: Truman orders desegregation of military
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USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
Ghislaine Maxwell lawyer says he hopes President Trump pardons her
Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyer said July 25 that he is hoping that President Donald Trump pardons the former British socialite for sex trafficking crimes she was convicted of in connection with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. David Markus spoke to reporters after his client's second day of interviews with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in Tallahassee, Florida, near where Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for trafficking a minor to Epstein for sexual abuse. Asked about Trump's comments earlier in the day about a potential pardon, Markus told reporters, "We haven't spoken to the president or anybody about a pardon just yet.' More: How Trump and 'terrific guy' Jeffrey Epstein's party boy friendship ended badly But, Markus said, 'The president this morning said he had the power to do so. We hope he exercises that power in the right and just way." When Trump was asked earlier Friday if he has considered pardoning Maxwell, he said no. "I'm allowed to do it, but it's something I have not thought about," Trump told reporters. "I certainly can't talk about pardons now." More: Trump says he hasn't considered pardoning Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell Maxwell was Epstein's girlfriend for years and has been accused of recruiting minors for him to have sex with. Her lengthy relationship with Epstein and alleged role in his efforts to sexually target minor girls raises the question of whether Maxwell knows of others who could have been involved in a sex-trafficking ring with Epstein. Epstein committed suicide in prison in 2019 while awaiting his own federal trial on related sex trafficking charges, leaving Maxwell as potentially the best remaining source for uncovering secrets about people who may have colluded with him. Maxwell maintains her innocence and is appealing her 2021 sex-trafficking conviction. Markus did not return calls and messages seeking comment on whether he has formally asked the Trump administration for a pardon for Maxwell. 'DOJ will hear what she has to say' Maxwell's meetings with Blanche, the No. 2 official in the Justice Department, came amid calls from the public and a bipartisan group of lawmakers for DOJ to release more information it has in its possession about Epstein's clients. The public outcry was prompted by announcements by the Justice Department and FBI earlier this month that they won't be releasing their Epstein-related files, despite promising to do so. Pressure has mounted since then for the administration to reconsider, including from members of Trump's own base who were bitterly disappointed by the announcement. That was especially the case after the Wall Street Journal disclosed that Attorney General Pam Bondi notified Trump in May that his name had appeared 'multiple times' in the files. Trump has since denied being told that by Bondi. Trump has also denied a Journal report that he wrote a birthday message to Epstein that included a drawing of a naked woman and he has sued the newspaper for defamation. The fact that Blanche was previously Trump's personal defense lawyer has also ratcheted up concerns about his − and the Department of Justice's − motivations in wanting to talk to Maxwell. Blanche said he wanted to meet with Maxwell to find out what more she can say about her dealings with Epstein. In a July 22 social media post, Blanche said that if 'Ghislaine Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say.' Rep. Dan Goldman, D-New York, however, suggested that Blanche's effort was to protect Trump 'by tacitly floating a pardon for Maxwell in return for information that politically benefits President Trump.' Maxwell is also reportedly set to meet on Aug 11. with congressional lawmakers after the House Oversight Committee subpoenaed her on July 23. 'I'll give you a list' of others who partied with Epstein: Trump Trump has denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein but attended parties with him during the 1990s and repeatedly flew on his private jet. Trump later distanced himself from the well-connected financier and said he banned him from his Mar-a-Lago club and residence in Palm Beach, Fla. On July 25, as he was preparing to fly to Scotland, Trump told reporters that they should focus instead on other political leaders and hedge fund managers who spent more time with Epstein. "I'll give you a list," Trump said. 'Don't talk about Trump' On his arrival in Scotland, Trump again was asked about Maxwell, and said, 'I really have nothing to say about it.' 'She is being talked to by a very smart man, by a very good man, Todd Blanche, and I don't know anything about the conversation. I haven't really been following it,' Trump told reporters. He said 'a lot of people are asking me about pardons' and that, 'Todd will come back with whatever he's got. You're making a very big thing over something that's not a big thing.' 'If you're going to talk about that, talk about Clinton,' Trump said, in reference to former President Bill Clinton, who has been linked to Epstein but has denied wrongdoing. 'Talk about all of his friends,' Trump said of Epstein. 'Talk about the hedge fund guys that were with him all the time. Don't talk about Trump.' Contributing: Aysha Bagchi; Bart Jansen, USA TODAY