Fact Check: Department of Justice attorney fired for refusing to support false claims against Abrego Garcia
What We Know
Erez Reuveni, an attorney in the Department of Justice (DOJ), was fired after he represented the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the case of Abrego Garcia v. Noem. During a court hearing on April 4, 2025, Reuveni admitted that the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia was an "administrative error" and stated that "there's no dispute that the order could not be used to send Mr. Abrego Garcia to El Salvador" (Goodlander Demands Attorney General Bondi Reinstate). Following these statements, Deputy Attorney General Blanche placed Reuveni on indefinite leave, later firing him for allegedly failing to follow directives from his superiors (Goodlander Demands Attorney General Bondi Reinstate).
The case centered on the unlawful deportation of Abrego Garcia, who was sent to a prison in El Salvador under conditions that would violate constitutional rights if they occurred in the U.S. (Goodlander Demands Attorney General Bondi Reinstate). Reuveni's statements in court were consistent with the DHS's own admission of error, which was documented in a declaration by Robert L. Cerna, the Acting Field Office Director at DHS (Goodlander Demands Attorney General Bondi Reinstate).
Analysis
The evidence surrounding Reuveni's firing suggests that it was directly linked to his adherence to ethical obligations as an attorney. His statements in court were not only truthful but also aligned with the DOJ's own admissions regarding the deportation error. The letter from Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander and other members of Congress emphasized that Reuveni's firing created a "Hobbesian choice" for DOJ attorneys, forcing them to choose between their careers and their duty to the court (Goodlander Demands Attorney General Bondi Reinstate).
Critically, Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the firing by claiming that Reuveni did not vigorously advocate for his client, suggesting that his statements were not in line with the administration's position (Goodlander Demands Attorney General Bondi Reinstate). This raises concerns about the integrity of the DOJ under the Trump administration, as it appears that political directives may have influenced legal decisions and actions.
Moreover, a ruling by Judge Barbara D. Holmes cast doubt on the administration's claims against Abrego Garcia, noting that the evidence presented was rife with hearsay and lacked reliability (Judge's Ruling Casts Doubt on Trump Administration's ...). This further supports the notion that Reuveni's truthful representation of the facts was at odds with the administration's narrative.
Conclusion
The claim that a Department of Justice attorney was fired for refusing to support false claims against Abrego Garcia is True. The evidence indicates that Erez Reuveni was dismissed for adhering to his ethical obligations as an attorney, which conflicted with the political directives of the Trump administration. His truthful statements in court were consistent with the DOJ's own admissions, and the subsequent actions taken against him appear to prioritize political interests over legal integrity.
Sources
- Goodlander Demands Attorney General Bondi Reinstate ...
- Judge's Ruling Casts Doubt on Trump Administration's ...
- Justice Department says Abrego Garcia will face US trial
- Abrego Garcia will remain in jail over deportation concerns
- Justice Dept. Says the Trump Administration Plans to Re- ...
- Cheap Flights, Airline Tickets & Airfare Deals | KAYAK
- Mistakenly deported man's attorneys say DOJ isn't providing answers ...
- Trump's DOJ Told Lawyers To Disobey Court Orders, Alleges ...
