For two weeks, President Donald Trump’s administration has worked quickly to reshape the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), with lawyer Emil Bove at the helm. Bove, 43, gained attention for his role defending Trump in a criminal case tied to hush money paid to an adult film star. Though he remained largely out of the spotlight during last year’s trial, Bove is now front and center in leading significant policy changes as acting deputy attorney general.
Bove’s main task is to oversee the DOJ’s daily operations, which involve managing more than 110,000 employees. While he serves temporarily in this position, Bove is expected to be the top deputy to Trump’s permanent nominee for attorney general, Todd Blanche, once confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Brendan Quigley, a colleague of Bove’s from their time prosecuting drug trafficking charges in 2016, described Bove as someone who can “hit the ground running.” “He’s not one to shy away from a fight,” Quigley said, praising Bove’s quick decision-making skills.
Despite his temporary role, Bove has wasted no time in implementing changes to two key areas: the investigation into the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and the enforcement of immigration laws. On his second day in the job, Bove took immediate action to shake up the DOJ’s approach to these issues.
Bove issued a memo instructing the removal of prosecutors hired to work on the January 6 investigation and ordered top federal prosecutors across the country to provide a list of anyone involved in the probe. This decision sparked backlash, with Representative Jamie Raskin, a leading Democrat, calling it “an affront to the rule of law.”
Bove has also pursued Trump’s goal to crack down on illegal immigration. He instructed federal prosecutors to investigate local officials who do not comply with federal immigration policies. He even visited Chicago to observe an arrest, a move that was rare for a senior DOJ official.
Before becoming involved in Trump’s legal defense team, Bove had a successful career as a criminal prosecutor, handling cases related to terrorism and drug trafficking. Notably, he was responsible for securing convictions in high-profile cases, including the conviction of a former Honduran president’s brother on drug charges.
In addition to his prosecution work, Bove was also involved in supervising cases with significant consequences, including one in which a banker’s conviction was overturned due to mishandled evidence. Despite this setback, Bove’s reputation for leading tough, complex cases has remained intact.
As the DOJ continues to undergo significant changes under Trump’s leadership, Bove’s role will likely remain pivotal. His approach to policy reform is already drawing both support and criticism, raising questions about the future direction of the department.
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