Senate Republicans cleared a key procedural hurdle to advance Emil Bove’s confirmation to a seat on the Third Circuit.
The Senate voted 50-48 Tuesday afternoon to proceed with Bove’s nomination, after Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley’s decision to pause debate on his nomination caused a Democratic walkout in committee last week. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined with Democrats in voting “no.”
Democrats have argued that Bove is unqualified for the federal bench because of his overwhelming fealty to President Donald Trump, citing allegations from a whistleblower that Bove suggested defying court orders for the administration’s agenda. Members of House Democratic leadership devoted a large portion of their weekly press conference earlier Tuesday to bashing Bove’s nomination and record.
Bove, Trump’s former criminal defense attorney and now a top Justice Department official, has also come under scrutiny for his role in the firing of DOJ officials involved in Jan. 6 Capitol attack cases and the dismissal of corruption charges against New York City mayor Eric Adams.
If confirmed, Bove would hold a lifetime appointment on the powerful bench that hears appeals from Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Virgin Islands.
