In a move that has reignited debate over the independence of federal prosecutors, former President Donald J. Trump abruptly fired Michele Beckwith, the acting U.S. Attorney for California’s Eastern District, just hours after she reminded a senior Border Patrol official to comply with a federal court order restricting immigration enforcement activities .
What Happened: A Timeline of Events
Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino calls Beckwith about upcoming Sacramento raid
Beckwith emails Bovino: “Compliance with court orders and the Constitution is expected”
Beckwith receives termination email from Trump aide
Border Patrol raids Home Depot parking lot in Sacramento
Beckwith, a 15-year veteran of the Department of Justice, was removed not only from her leadership role but from the office entirely—escorted out without warning after her computer and work phone were remotely disabled .
Why This Firing Matters
U.S. attorneys are traditionally granted wide latitude to enforce the law without political interference. Legal scholars warn that Beckwith’s dismissal sets a dangerous precedent.
“Political pressure to prosecute enemies or shield friends is not cause for removal,” said Nina Mendelson, law professor at the University of Michigan .
Comparison: U.S. Attorney Firings Under Trump (2025)
Attorney | Reason for Firing | Replaced By |
---|---|---|
Michele Beckwith (Eastern District of CA) |
Insisted Border Patrol follow court order | Eric Grant (Trump environmental litigator) |
Virginia U.S. Attorney | Refused to indict James Comey | Trump loyalist who secured Comey indictment |
Border Patrol’s Legal Boundaries in California
The court order Beckwith cited stems from an ACLU lawsuit over January 2025 raids in Bakersfield, where agents detained day laborers without probable cause. U.S. District Judge Jennifer Thurston ruled:
- Border Patrol may not stop people based solely on skin color or proximity to border
- Agents must have reasonable suspicion of an immigration violation
- The 100-mile “border zone” does not grant blanket authority to detain
Despite this, Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino declared after the Sacramento raid: “There is no such thing as a sanctuary city” .
What’s Next for Beckwith?
- Appeal filed: Beckwith is challenging her termination, arguing she was fired without cause or due process.
- Seeking remedies: Back pay, expungement of termination, and legal fees.
- Public advocacy: Speaking out on prosecutorial independence and rule of law.
For more on the balance between executive power and judicial oversight, see our analysis on [INTERNAL_LINK:executive-overreach-and-judicial-checks].
The case underscores growing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and constitutional safeguards. As the U.S. Department of Justice historically affirms, “The rule of law must apply equally to all—regardless of political pressure” .
Sources
- https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/us/trump-fires-us-attorney-california-immigration.html
- https://www.justice.gov/
- https://www.aclu.org/
- https://www.law.umich.edu/