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A legal advocacy group, joined by a former White House attorney, has filed an ethics complaint against a senior Department of Justice official over alleged misconduct during immigration proceedings related to the Trump administration’s controversial deportation efforts.
The complaint, submitted Tuesday by Lawyers Defending American Democracy (LDAD), targets Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign for what the group describes as a “pattern of misconduct” in immigration cases, particularly regarding mass deportations under the Alien Enemies Act (AEA).
At the center of the controversy is a March 2025 incident where Chief U.S. District Judge James Boasberg verbally ordered the Trump administration to halt the deportation of 252 Venezuelan nationals alleged to be gang members. According to court records, the judge specifically instructed that any planes already in flight should be turned around. This order was allegedly ignored by administration officials.
The ethics complaint focuses on Ensign’s statements during an emergency hearing held on a Saturday. When Judge Boasberg directly asked whether AEA deportations would occur within 48 hours, Ensign replied, “I don’t know the answer to that question,” and later claimed he did “not have additional details [he] can provide at this time.”
LDAD’s complaint alleges these were “knowingly false statements of material fact” that violated professional ethics rules. The complaint states Ensign had been present at a meeting the day before the hearing where Emil Bove, then-Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General, reportedly suggested giving the courts a “f— you” if the government was blocked from carrying out mass AEA deportations.
Further complicating matters, the complaint notes that before the hearing resumed, Ensign received an email from plaintiffs’ attorneys citing public flight information indicating imminent deportations were already underway.
“Mr. Ensign had a duty, at a minimum, to tell the Court that the federal government intended to remove the Venezuelan migrants within the next 48 hours,” the complaint states. “Instead, Mr. Ensign falsely told the Court he knew nothing about these things and he failed to correct these material misstatements of fact.”
The situation prompted Judge Boasberg to launch a contempt investigation, though this probe was later halted by the D.C. Circuit Court. Both Ensign and former DOJ attorney Erez Reuveni had been scheduled to testify under oath about whether the government willfully violated a court order and who might bear criminal responsibility.
Reuveni, who had spent nearly 15 years at the Justice Department, was placed on leave and then fired in April 2025. His termination came after he claimed to have “refused directions from his superiors to file a brief misrepresenting” facts in a case involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man who was wrongfully deported and who Reuveni acknowledged in court “should not have been removed” from the country.
Then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, now acting AG, stated Reuveni was dismissed for failing to “follow a directive from [his] superiors; fail[ing] to zealously advocate on behalf of the United States; and engag[ing] in conduct prejudicial to [his] client.”
When Reuveni later made allegations about Bove’s “f— you” comment, Blanche dismissed him as a “disgruntled former employee” making “false” claims, potentially to derail Bove’s then-pending nomination for a judgeship at the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Bove was ultimately confirmed despite the controversy.
Scott Harshbarger, LDAD chair and former Massachusetts attorney general, emphasized that “every lawyer – including government lawyers – has a duty to tell the truth to the courts and uphold the integrity of the justice system.” He added that the complaint “asks the D.C. Bar to investigate serious allegations that go to the heart of the rule of law.”
Among the complaint’s signatories is Ty Cobb, who previously served as a White House lawyer handling former President Trump’s response to Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation. In a statement, Cobb explained his support for the ethics complaint: “Government attorneys are not exempt from the ethical rules that govern the legal profession and, because of the oath they take, their obligations are even more sacred. Accountability is essential to maintaining public confidence in the administration of justice.”
The DOJ has not yet issued a formal response to the allegations, and Ensign has not publicly commented on the complaint filed against him.
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11 Comments
This is an important case that could have significant implications for immigration enforcement procedures and the balance of power between the executive and judicial branches. I’m interested to see how this unfolds and whether the allegations are substantiated.
You make a good point. The separation of powers and checks and balances are fundamental to a healthy democracy, so this case bears close watching.
The potential for misconduct by government officials, especially in matters related to deportation, is very concerning. While the specifics are not yet clear, I hope the inquiry into this matter is rigorous and the results are transparently communicated.
Absolutely, any abuse of power or disregard for judicial authority in the immigration context deserves close scrutiny. Transparency is crucial.
The deportation of immigrants is a sensitive and complex issue. While the details here are unclear, any potential misrepresentation to the court is troubling and merits close scrutiny. I’m curious to learn more about the specifics of this case and the evidence supporting the complaint.
Agreed, the details will be important in evaluating this situation. Transparency and accountability are essential, regardless of one’s views on immigration policy.
The deportation of immigrants is a sensitive and politically charged issue. While the details here are unclear, any potential misconduct by government officials in this context is concerning and merits a thorough investigation. I hope the truth can be uncovered.
This is a concerning allegation. Ensuring the integrity of the judicial process and compliance with court orders is critical for the rule of law. I hope a thorough investigation can shed light on what exactly occurred and whether any misconduct took place.
You raise a fair point. If the allegations are true, it would represent a serious breach of legal norms and procedures.
Immigration enforcement is a polarizing topic, but the legal system must function with impartiality and integrity. These allegations, if substantiated, could undermine public trust. I hope the investigation is thorough and the findings are made public.
That’s a fair assessment. Upholding the rule of law should be the priority, even in contentious policy areas like immigration.