Senate Confirms Trump's Former Lawyer to Appeals Court Amid Controversy

The Senate approved the nomination of Emil Bove, a former defense lawyer for President Trump, to a U.S. appeals court. This confirmation grants Bove a lifetime appointment on the federal bench. The vote was 50-49, with Republican Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joining all Democrats in opposition.

Senator Chuck Grassley, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, stated his belief that Bove would be a fair jurist. However, Bove's nomination faced significant controversy. Former judges, prosecutors, and Justice Department employees urged senators to reject his nomination.

Allegations against Bove included suggestions that government lawyers should disregard court orders. Democrats unsuccessfully attempted to delay the Senate Judiciary Committee's vote on his nomination due to these concerns. Further information regarding Bove was provided by whistleblowers to the Justice Department's internal watchdog and lawmakers.

Senators Cory Booker and Adam Schiff inquired about potential investigations related to Bove, citing the allegations of misconduct as troubling. Bove represented the president in criminal cases and later joined the Justice Department. He also served as acting deputy attorney general for a brief period.

Former Justice Department prosecutors accused Bove of executing mass firings of employees perceived as disloyal to Mr. Trump. He was also involved in a controversy surrounding the Justice Department's decision to drop the prosecution of New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Bove defended his actions, stating that the decision to drop charges against Adams was within prosecutorial discretion. He also faced allegations of unethical conduct from a fired Justice Department lawyer, Erez Reuveni, who claimed Bove suggested the administration ignore court orders.

Reuveni alleged that Bove suggested the department tell the courts to "fk you" if a judge blocked deportations. Emails and text messages supported Reuveni's claims. A second Justice Department whistleblower also submitted documents supporting Reuveni's claims.

Democrats attempted to delay the vote to allow Reuveni to testify, but Senator Grassley rejected the move. The White House and Justice Department defended Bove, while Grassley criticized Democrats' handling of the nomination.