Trump’s judicial nominee Emil Bove advances after heated Senate panel debate and Democrat walkout over whistleblower allegations.

Senate Panel Moves Emil Bove Nomination Forward

President Donald Trump’s former defense attorney Emil Bove moved one step closer to a lifetime seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit after a dramatic Senate Judiciary Committee session on Thursday. The meeting was marked by nearly an hour of heated exchanges and culminated in a high-profile walkout by Democrat committee members, underscoring deep partisan divisions surrounding Bove’s nomination.

The Judiciary Committee’s narrow vote followed contentious debate over allegations raised in a whistleblower report by former Justice Department attorney Erez Reuveni. Reuveni accused Bove, now a senior Justice Department official, of urging subordinates to violate court orders and engage in illegal acts during his tenure. These accusations were cited by Democratic senators and a coalition of more than 75 former federal and state judges, who urged the Senate to reject Bove’s nomination, describing his record as “egregious.”

Democrats Walk Out Over Process and Allegations

Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island led calls for more time to consider the whistleblower allegations, invoking committee rules and precedent for further hearings. Booker pressed Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, to delay the vote, stating, “Debating the nomination, putting things on the record — Dear God, that's what we are here for. What are you afraid of?” When Grassley refused, Booker and his Democratic colleagues left the room in protest before the vote was taken.

Other Democrats on the committee echoed concerns about the rapid process and the seriousness of the whistleblower’s claims. After leaving, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-CT, criticized the proceedings as a “blatant violation of the rules of committee,” warning that it set a troubling precedent for future judicial nominations. Whitehouse added, quoting Shakespeare, “there’s something rotten in Denmark,” highlighting Democratic frustration with what they described as a lack of transparency and decorum.

The Republican majority on the committee defended the decision to proceed, pointing to past examples under Democratic leadership where similar actions were taken. Grassley cited the November 2023 advancement of Biden administration judicial nominees over Republican objections as precedent, stating, “there cannot be one set of rules for Republicans on this committee and another set of rules for Democrats.”

Bove Faces Scrutiny Over DOJ Record

Bove, a former prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, represented Trump as personal attorney in two criminal cases following the president’s first term. At the Justice Department, he earned a reputation for aggressive leadership and was involved in controversial decisions, including dropping corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams. The whistleblower report claims Bove pushed colleagues to ignore court orders and ousted prosecutors investigating the January 6 U.S. Capitol riot.

During his confirmation hearing, Bove denied wrongdoing under oath, stating, “I have never advised a Department of Justice attorney to violate a court order.” He provided the panel with extensive written answers and maintained that he is “not anybody’s henchman,” describing himself as a small-town lawyer thrust into the national spotlight.

Bove’s supporters, including Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, praised his legal expertise and character, describing him as a “brilliant lawyer” and “the most gentle, empathetic, great person that anybody could ever work with.”

The full Senate will now vote on Bove’s confirmation. His path remains contentious, as the controversy around his nomination reflects ongoing battles over judicial appointments, Senate rules, and the broader question of accountability for high-level legal officials. The outcome will shape the composition and direction of the Third Circuit for years to come.