Emil Bove, former personal lawyer to ex-President Donald Trump, was confirmed on Tuesday, July 29, as a federal appellate judge in a narrow 50–49 Senate vote.
Despite fierce opposition from Democrats, the Republican-led Senate approved Bove’s lifetime appointment to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The confirmation followed a walkout by Democrats during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting earlier this month. Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) opposed the nomination, but the GOP’s 53–47 majority carried the vote.
Bove, 44, previously served as a federal prosecutor and held the position of the Justice Department’s third-ranking official. His nomination by Trump drew sharp criticism from Democrats, with Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member Dick Durbin accusing him of displaying "blind loyalty" to Trump and undermining the pursuit of justice in the January 6 Capitol riot cases.
The 3rd Circuit, which oversees Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, will now include Bove, whose record has been criticized by New Jersey Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim. They described his history as marked by "abusive behavior, ethical breaches, and disregard for judicial norms."
The nomination triggered widespread backlash. Over 900 former Justice Department attorneys wrote to the Senate opposing the confirmation, calling it "intolerable" that someone they believe has "disgraced" the department would ascend to such a high judicial office. Additionally, more than 75 retired judges condemned the appointment, citing concerns over impartiality given Bove's role as Trump’s criminal defense attorney.
Bove represented Trump in the New York case that led to the former president’s conviction on 34 felony counts related to falsified business records and hush money payments. He also defended Trump in two federal criminal cases dropped following Trump’s 2024 election win.
Earlier this year, Bove faced further controversy when he directed prosecutors to drop bribery and fraud charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams, prompting resignations within the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office and the Justice Department. Bove denied allegations that the move was a political favor tied to Adams’ support for Trump’s immigration policies.
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