Protected Whistleblower Disclosure: Erez Reuveni on DOJ Violations and Abuse of Authority

Whistleblower Disclosure Overview

• 💡 Erez Reuveni, formerly acting deputy director of the Office of Immigration Litigation (OIL) at the Department of Justice (DOJ), has filed a protected whistleblower disclosure.
• 🎯 The disclosure details alleged violations of laws, rules, and regulations, abuse of authority, and substantial dangers to health and safety within the DOJ and White House.
• 📌 It specifically addresses actions taken leading up to the deportation of individuals under the Alien Enemies Act proclamation and other immigration litigation matters.

Allegations of Defying Court Orders

• 🚀 The letter outlines instances where DOJ leadership allegedly defied court orders and directed attorneys to make misrepresentations to courts.
• ⚠️ A key allegation involves a meeting on March 14, 2025, where leadership reportedly suggested telling a court "Fuck you" and ignoring court orders regarding removals under the Alien Enemies Act.
• ⚖️ Reuveni claims he raised concerns internally for three weeks before being placed on administrative leave and subsequently terminated.

Case Study: JG v. Trump (Alien Enemies Act)

• ✈️ This section details events surrounding a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued on March 15, 2025, to halt removals under the Alien Enemies Act.
• 🗣️ Deputy Assistant Attorney General Ensign allegedly misled the court about the status of removal flights, despite Reuveni's knowledge of planned departures.
• 📉 Reuveni sent multiple emails to DHS and DOS attempting to confirm compliance with the court's orders, but received no substantive responses.
• 🏛️ The court ultimately issued a classwide TRO, prohibiting the removal of class members, but evidence suggests the government continued with removals.

Case Study: DVD v. DHS (Third-Country Removals)

• 🌍 This case involves allegations of removing individuals to third countries without proper torture screenings, in violation of a nationwide TRO issued on March 28, 2025.
• 🚫 Reuveni alleges that DOJ leadership took the position that the injunction did not have nationwide applicability and directed DHS not to issue guidance to its officers.
• 🤝 A disconnect is highlighted between DOJ's legal strategy, which acknowledged nationwide applicability for an emergency stay, and DHS's understanding that it only applied to named plaintiffs.
• ✈️ Evidence suggests that despite the injunction, individuals were removed to El Salvador, with the operation seemingly being shifted to the Department of Defense (DoD) to bypass DHS.

Case Study: Kilmer Abrego Garcia (Erroneous Removal)

• 🇲🇽 This case concerns the wrongful removal of Mr. Kilmer Abrego Garcia to El Salvador on March 15, 2025, despite a court order prohibiting his removal.
• 📄 DHS conceded in a declaration that Mr. Abrego Garcia had withholding of removal protection and was removed in error, yet leadership allegedly sought to allege he was an MS-13 leader without evidence.
• ⚖️ Reuveni refused to sign an appeal brief containing arguments unsupported by evidence or law, specifically regarding the invalidity of the withholding of removal order based on alleged terrorist affiliation.
• 🚫 As a result of his refusal and truthful representations to the court, Reuveni was placed on administrative leave and subsequently terminated.

Retaliation and Conclusion

• 🛡️ The whistleblower disclosure asserts that Reuveni was retaliated against for refusing to obey illegal orders and for his protected whistleblower activity.
• 🏛️ The letter calls for investigations by Congress, the DOJ Inspector General, and the Office of Special Counsel into the alleged defiance of the rule of law.
• ✊ Reuveni remains committed to the rule of law and his oath as an attorney, despite facing retaliation and the risk of further reprisal.
• ⚖️ The disclosure emphasizes the grave impact of these actions on the safety of individuals and the constitutional rights of all persons.