A coalition of criminal defense attorneys in Manhattan expressed their concerns about the conduct of prosecutor Emil Bove by sending a formal email to his superiors. In an email dated 2018, one lawyer accused Bove of being “completely reckless and out of control” in his case management. Another attorney voiced concerns about Bove’s unprofessional demeanor, suggesting he required “adult supervision.” A prominent federal public defender in the city remarked that Bove failed to treat others with the necessary respect or empathy in his interactions.
During his tenure as an aggressive prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Bove did not appear to be discouraged by these complaints. Instead, he reportedly displayed the email prominently in his office as a form of pride, seeing it as a testament to his unconventional approach.
Bove’s nearly ten years in the prosecutor’s role provides insight into how he currently fulfills his duties as President Donald Trump’s chief enforcer at the Department of Justice. Since stepping into the acting No. 2 position within the department, he has frequently disregarded traditional protocols, demonstrating a readiness to confront FBI leaders over perceived insubordination related to investigations stemming from the January 2021 Capitol insurrection, as well as dismissing attorneys involved in those inquiries.
Recently, Bove urged fellow prosecutors to drop charges against New York City’s mayor for reasons seemingly severed from the case’s merit, challenging long-held Justice Department standards. These actions have raised alarms among legal experts and former prosecutors, who fear Bove is prioritizing loyalty to Trump over an unbiased application of justice. Dismissing these concerns, Bove remains committed to advancing Trump’s agenda, a stance not surprising to those aware of his history in prosecuting assorted cases linked to drug trafficking and terrorism.
Christine Chung, a former federal prosecutor who has opposed Bove in various cases, characterized his approach as one rooted in a desire for power—an attribute detrimental to public service. Additionally, she noted that many are reluctant to speak openly against him due to his vindictive nature, which he has begun to reveal openly. When asked for commentary, the Justice Department declined to provide insights into Bove’s past actions.
Christopher Kise, who became acquainted with Bove during their collaboration on Trump’s legal team, defended him, stating that Bove is fulfilling the responsibilities expected of him given the president’s mandate. He emphasized the importance of showing authority in the role, despite potential turbulence that might accompany such a stance.
As acting deputy attorney general, Bove has taken significant steps to reshape the operations of the FBI and the Department of Justice. He has sought to identify agents involved in the investigations of the Capitol riot and has firmly communicated his directives to prosecutors regarding adherence to his directives.
For example, on February 14, he instructed prosecutors in the public integrity section to quickly nominate two individuals to proceed with a motion to dismiss charges against Mayor Eric Adams, despite previous resignations over this instruction. Additionally, his request for a comprehensive list of agents who were part of the January 6 inquiries raised concerns among FBI personnel about potential ramifications for their careers.
The events of January 6 led to injuries for more than a hundred police officers as large groups of Trump supporters, sometimes armed, overcame law enforcement, which forced lawmakers into hiding. Former President Trump has since downplayed the severity of the assault, attributing the responsibility for responses to federal authorities. Bove has adopted a similar narrative, urging substantial changes within the FBI, which he accused of participating in what Trump has termed a “grave national injustice.”
Colleagues of Bove find his current tactics bewildering. Chris O’Leary, a retired FBI agent who previously collaborated successfully with Bove, reflected on his surprising transformation, noting that Bove had never shown any dissent concerning the handling of investigations into the January 6 events. O’Leary likened Bove’s behavior to that of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”
It remains uncertain how long Bove will fulfill this supervisory role, as he is expected to transition to a principal advisor position under Todd Blanche, a former federal prosecutor recently nominated by Trump for the deputy attorney general role. This shift could lead to Bove taking on one of the key positions within the Justice Department.
Bove’s history as a prosecutor is marked by notable achievements. From his collegiate lacrosse captaincy at the University at Albany through his law studies at Georgetown, he has consistently shown impressive intellect and a relentless work ethic. Following in his father’s footsteps, he began his career as a federal prosecutor where he made significant strides in high-profile cases targeting drug lords and terrorists.
Noteworthy prosecutions led by Bove include the indictment of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for drug trafficking and successful actions against a terror operative associated with Hezbollah. However, his aggressive tactics drew the ire of fellow attorneys and colleagues alike.
During conversations with multiple defense attorneys, critiques surfaced regarding Bove’s conduct and methods. In 2018, a complaint compiled by the federal public defender’s office outlined significant issues with Bove’s representation, with the head emphasizing that he was not aligning with the office’s values. Despite the criticism leading to that email, Bove was soon after promoted, further solidifying his controversial career trajectory.
By 2020, Bove faced scrutiny over allegations of prosecutorial misconduct related to a case involving Iranian banking sanctions. Though he was involved in efforts to manage the fallout from these allegations, the judge ultimately deemed there to have been misconduct even if it was not found to be intentional.
Bove later departed from public service in late 2021, moving into private practice until joining Trump’s legal representation in 2023, reflecting a significant shift in his professional landscape.
