Fact Check: DOJ Attorney Fired for Refusing to Support False Claims Against Abrego Garcia
What We Know
The claim states that Erez Reuveni, an attorney with the Department of Justice (DOJ), was fired for refusing to support false claims regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcia's deportation. Reuveni represented the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the case Abrego Garcia v. Noem, where he acknowledged in court that DHS's deportation of Garcia was an “administrative error” (Goodlander Demands Attorney General Bondi Reinstate...). Following this admission, he was placed on indefinite leave and subsequently fired, with officials citing his failure to follow directives from superiors (Goodlander Demands Attorney General Bondi Reinstate...).
During a court hearing on April 4, 2025, Reuveni stated, “We have nothing to say on the merits. We concede he should not have been removed to El Salvador,” and expressed frustration over the lack of satisfactory answers regarding Garcia's detention (Goodlander Demands Attorney General Bondi Reinstate...). His statements were consistent with a declaration from DHS acknowledging the wrongful deportation (Goodlander Demands Attorney General Bondi Reinstate...).
Analysis
The evidence surrounding Reuveni's firing suggests that it was directly linked to his candor in court, which contradicted the administration's narrative. Reuveni's statements in court were factual and aligned with the DHS's own admission of error, indicating that he acted in accordance with his professional ethical obligations (Goodlander Demands Attorney General Bondi Reinstate...).
The reliability of the sources is high, particularly the congressional letter led by Congressman Dan Goldman, which articulates concerns over the ethical implications of Reuveni's termination and emphasizes the importance of attorneys' duties to the court (Goodlander Demands Attorney General Bondi Reinstate...). Additionally, reports from NPR and other news outlets corroborate the narrative of Reuveni's firing being a consequence of his truthful representation in court (Fired Justice Department lawyer accuses agency of planning to defy..., Justice Department says Abrego Garcia will face US trial).
However, some sources, such as the New York Times, highlight the broader context of political motivations behind the DOJ's actions, suggesting a pattern of prioritizing political narratives over legal truths (Judge's Ruling Casts Doubt on Trump Administration's...). The potential bias in these sources must be considered, but the core facts regarding Reuveni's firing remain consistent across multiple reports.
Conclusion
The claim that Erez Reuveni was fired for refusing to support false claims against Kilmar Abrego Garcia is True. The evidence indicates that his termination was a direct result of his commitment to honesty in legal proceedings, which conflicted with the directives from his superiors. His statements in court were factual and aligned with the government's own acknowledgment of error, reinforcing the notion that he was unjustly penalized for adhering to his professional ethical obligations.
Sources
- Goodlander Demands Attorney General Bondi Reinstate...
- 24A949 Noem v. Abrego Garcia (04/10/2025)
- Fired Justice Department lawyer accuses agency of planning to defy...
- Justice Department says Abrego Garcia will face US trial
- Judge's Ruling Casts Doubt on Trump Administration's...
- Fired DOJ lawyer alleges senior Justice Department officials lied to...
- Trump's DOJ Told Lawyers To Disobey Court Orders, Alleges...
