The Justice Division has positioned on indefinite paid go away the lawyer who argued on behalf of the federal government on Friday in a lawsuit introduced by a Maryland man who was deported to El Salvador in error, sources accustomed to the matter informed ABC Information.
Sources mentioned Erez Reuveni, the performing deputy director for the Workplace of Immigration Litigation, was informed by officers on the DOJ that he was being positioned on go away over a “failure to zealously advocate” for the federal government’s pursuits.
“At my course, each Division of Justice lawyer is required to zealously advocate on behalf of the USA,” Legal professional Normal Pam Bondi mentioned in an announcement on Saturday. “Any lawyer who fails to abide by this course will face penalties.”
Legal professional Normal Pam Bondi speaks at a information convention on the Justice Division, Feb. 12, 2025, in Washington.
Ben Curtis/AP, FILES
The Justice Division has additionally positioned the deputy director of the Workplace of Immigration Litigation on paid administrative go away, sources accustomed to the matter informed ABC Information.
August Flentje, who was Reuveni’s supervisor, was positioned on administrative go away Saturday by officers at Most important Justice for “failure to oversee a subordinate,” in keeping with the sources.
The appellate temporary that was submitted to the 4th Circuit Saturday morning bears Flentje’s digital signature.
Justice Division officers didn’t instantly reply to ABC Information’ request for remark.
The federal government is in search of to attraction an order from the decide who presided over Friday’s listening to and ordered the division to facilitate the return of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia by Monday.
In Friday’s listening to, Reuveni repeatedly struggled when pressed by Choose Paula Xinis of the U.S. District Court docket for the District of Maryland for particulars surrounding Abrego Garcia’s deportation — and why the administration claimed it couldn’t facilitate his return to the USA.
The outside of the Terrorist Confinement Heart as Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem arrives, in Tecoluca, El Salvador, Mar. 26, 2025.
Alex Brandon/AP
At one level within the listening to, Reuveni was requested by Xinis beneath what authority legislation enforcement officers seized Abrego Garcia.
Reuveni mentioned he was annoyed that he didn’t have these solutions.
“Your honor, my reply to lots of these questions goes to be irritating, and I am additionally annoyed that I’ve no solutions for you on lots of these questions,” Reuveni mentioned.
