WASHINGTON – A coalition of criminal defense lawyers from Manhattan expressed serious concerns over the professional conduct of prosecutor Emil Bove, resulting in a collective email to his superiors.
One attorney described Bove’s handling of his cases as “completely reckless and out of control,” while another criticized his rudeness and suggested he required “adult supervision.” Additionally, a prominent federal public defender pointed out that he fails to treat less experienced colleagues with the dignity or empathy they deserve.
At the time, Bove was a vigorous prosecutor working for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and did not appear to be affected by the negative feedback.
Instead, he reportedly took the email as a point of pride, displaying it prominently in his office, according to an unnamed former colleague who discussed Bove candidly. This era of his career—spanning nearly ten years—reveals his perception regarding his latest role as President Donald Trump’s top enforcer within the Justice Department. Within just a month of taking on the department’s acting No. 2 position, Bove has disregarded established norms and traditions, including publicly reprimanding FBI leadership for what he termed “insubordination” over the investigation into the January 2021 Capitol riot and expelling attorneys involved in those cases.
More controversially, Bove pressured his former colleagues to dismiss charges against New York City’s mayor, a move that many see as a significant departure from Justice Department policies, raising alarm among legal experts and prior prosecutors. The concerns center around the fear that Bove is more focused on settling political scores for the president rather than impartially leading the Justice Department. Bove has dismissed such apprehensions, aggressively pushing forward Trump’s agenda in a manner reminiscent of his earlier days prosecuting drug crimes and terrorism cases.
Christine Chung, a former federal prosecutor now practicing defense law, characterized Bove as someone who thrived on exerting power—a trait viewed as detrimental in public service. She noted that many in the legal community are reluctant to speak against him due to his vindictive nature, which has become increasingly apparent.
The Justice Department chose not to comment on inquiries seeking an interview with Bove or a detailed account of his past actions. Christopher Kise, who became acquainted with Bove while they were both part of Trump’s legal defense team, defended Bove’s aggressive approach, stating that it reflects the seriousness required for the role. While Kise acknowledged the complexity of the situation, he expressed surprise over the negative image of Bove portrayed by former coworkers.
In his capacity as acting deputy attorney general, Bove has been influential in attempting to reshape both the FBI and the Justice Department, pressuring officials to identify agents involved in the Capitol investigation and setting strict expectations for prosecutors to adhere to his directives.
For instance, on February 14, he held a conference call where he insisted prosecutors swiftly nominate colleagues to file to dismiss charges against Mayor Eric Adams, despite several prosecutors having resigned in protest against his demand.
Perhaps most alarming was his request for the FBI to provide a comprehensive list of agents involved in the January 6 investigations, viewed by many within the bureau as a forerunner to a potential purge. Such scrutiny of career FBI agents is highly unusual, as these agents typically do not have the authority to determine the cases they investigate.
The Capitol riot resulted in injuries to over 100 law enforcement officers, as a violent mob of Trump supporters overwhelmed protective measures. For years, Trump has downplayed the severity of this assault, instead blaming federal agencies for their strict responses toward his supporters. Bove has openly backed this perspective. In a letter dated January 31, where he dismissed multiple top FBI executives, Bove claimed that the agency was complicit in what the president referred to as a “grave national injustice.”
Many former colleagues find Bove’s recent actions perplexing. Chris O’Leary, a retired FBI agent with past experience collaborating with Bove, noted the striking change in his demeanor, stating that it feels reminiscent of a dramatic transformation in literature—similar to the tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. O’Leary remarked that Bove had previously taken an active role in investigations related to January 6 without indicating any issues with their conduct.
It remains uncertain how long Bove will retain his acting role as deputy attorney general, as Trump has nominated Todd Blanche for the position, a confirmation anticipated by the Senate. Should Blanche be confirmed, Bove would transition to serve as his principal associate deputy attorney general, a role recognized as one of the most influential within the Justice Department.
Bove distinguished himself early on, showcasing a brilliant intellect and diligent work ethic as the captain of the lacrosse team at the University at Albany. Law is a family legacy for Bove, whose father was also a state prosecutor. After completing his studies at Georgetown University law school, Bove clerked for two federal judges appointed by President George W. Bush, before embarking on a nine-year tenure at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan, where he primarily focused on high-profile drug trafficking and terrorism cases.
His list of notable achievements includes leading the indictment of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s president, on drug trafficking allegations, as well as securing convictions against a Hezbollah operative involved in terror plots within New York City. Despite these successes, Bove’s aggressive approach has sparked discontent among his peers.
Interviews with defense attorneys reveal a myriad of concerns surrounding Bove’s conduct during prosecutions. One lawyer recalled witnessing Bove lash out at a Latin American drug trafficker, who was cooperating with U.S. authorities, while another former Justice Department employee noted how Bove sought to dominate high-profile cases across different jurisdictions. Many of these attorneys requested anonymity due to concerns over possible retaliation.
In March 2018, the head of the federal public defender’s office in Manhattan compiled a report detailing criticisms of Bove from eight attorneys, forwarding this correspondence to high-ranking officials within the U.S. Attorney’s Office. In this communication, David Patton, the public defender at the time, labeled Bove as “a real, recurrent problem” who failed to represent the office in an acceptable manner.
Approximately 18 months after this critical email, Bove earned a promotion to co-chief of the national security and international narcotics unit, overseeing the case against Maduro, who continues to be the target of a significant U.S. bounty.
By 2020, the unit Bove supervised faced allegations of prosecutorial misconduct stemming from a trial involving an Iranian banker alleged to have violated U.S. sanctions. A U.S. district court judge highlighted that certain evidence beneficial to the defense was not disclosed. Following the judge’s inquiry, Bove acknowledged an untruth expressed by his team in court and described intentions to “smash” the defendant, revealing a troubling perspective on ethics.
Although the judge ultimately determined that Bove’s team did not intentionally withhold evidence, she categorized their behavior as “prosecutorial misconduct,” leading her to dismiss the charges against the defendant and recommend an investigation into the prosecution team. It remains unclear if such an inquiry has taken place.
Bove departed from the government in late 2021 to embark on a career as a defense attorney before rejoining Trump’s legal team in 2023.
