Michele Beckwith, a seasoned federal prosecutor who had pursued terrorists, sex traffickers and violent gangs for over 15 years, was abruptly removed from her role as acting US attorney in Sacramento this summer following a dispute over immigration raids.Beckwith had stepped into the post in January after her predecessor, a Biden appointee, resigned. But according to documents reviewed by The New York Times, her career collapsed on 15 July—just hours after she warned Gregory Bovino, a senior Border Patrol chief, that his agents could not carry out indiscriminate arrests in her district.
Warning to Border Patrol sparks dismissal
The disagreement stemmed from a federal court ruling in April, which restricted Border Patrol operations in parts of California. Judge Jennifer Thurston had ruled that agents could only detain individuals if there was reasonable suspicion of immigration violations, stating, “You just can’t walk up to people with brown skin and say, ‘Give me your papers.’” Beckwith reminded Bovino that the order applied to her district, which stretches from the Oregon border down to Bakersfield.
Abrupt removal and Trump aide’s email
At 10:57 am (local time) on 15 July, Beckwith emailed Bovino, writing that she expected “compliance with court orders and the Constitution.” By late afternoon, her work phone and computer were disabled. At 4:31 pm (local time), she received a message to her personal email from Trump’s special assistant informing her she had been dismissed with immediate effect. “Michele, on behalf of President Donald J Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as First Assistant United States Attorney and employment with the department of justice is terminated, effective immediately”, the mail stated.She was escorted out of the office shortly after, reported The New York Times.
Border Patrol raid goes ahead despite ruling
Two days later, Bovino went ahead with a raid in a Sacramento Home Depot car park, detaining at least eight people accused of being in the country unlawfully. In a video filmed outside California’s state Capitol, Bovino declared, “Folks, there is no such thing as a sanctuary city… Whether it’s here in Sacramento or nationwide, we’re here, and we’re not going anywhere.”Bovino later defended the operation, and was cited by The New York Times saying that Beckwith’s suggestion Border Patrol might not always follow the law “revealed a bias against law enforcement.” He insisted, “The Supreme Court’s decision is evidence of the fact Border Patrol follows the Constitution and the Fourth Amendment.” Earlier this month, the court overturned a Los Angeles judge’s restrictions on immigration raids, strengthening federal authority.
Beckwith appeals removal
Beckwith described her removal as “unjust,” saying, “We have to stand up and insist the laws be followed.” She has since appealed against her termination, arguing she was entitled to remain in prosecutorial work within the Eastern District and could not be fired without cause. She is seeking to have the dismissal expunged, along with back pay and legal fees.
Part of wider purge of federal prosecutors
Her firing is part of a wider pattern. As per The Guardian, Trump has pushed out several federal prosecutors in recent months, including Erik Siebert in Virginia, who was overseeing sensitive inquiries into former FBI director James Comey and New York attorney general Letitia James. He was swiftly replaced by a Trump ally, who persuaded a grand jury to indict Comey.Legal experts have warned that such interventions threaten the tradition of independence in the justice system. Nina Mendelson, a law professor at the University of Michigan, was quoted by The New York Times as saying, “We still have a norm of prosecutorial independence and evenhandedness and integrity at the federal level. Political pressure to prosecute enemies or shield friends would not typically be considered cause for removal.”
Beckwith defends her record
Beckwith, a Democrat who has served under both Republican and Democratic presidents, maintains her decisions were based on the rule of law rather than politics. “I’m an American who cares about her country,” she said. “I’m a public servant. That is my calling.”
