Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans voted Thursday to advance Emil Bove, President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney, to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, triggering a mass Democratic walkout.
All 12 GOP members backed Bove’s nomination as Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) decried the move as “an abuse of power.”
BREAKING: In a shocking moment, Senate DEMs storm out of a hearing to protest the GOP ramming through Trump’s awful pick, Emil Bove, for federal judge. Republicans broke rules to silence debate & block Dems’ statements.
— Really American 🇺🇸 (@ReallyAmerican1) July 17, 2025
Republicans have broken Congress.pic.twitter.com/PCitSn7gtN
Bove, now a senior Justice Department official, has faced intense scrutiny over controversial DOJ actions, including alleged threats to ignore court orders, mass firings, and interference in high-profile investigations. A whistleblower claimed Bove suggested saying “f**k you” to courts resisting Trump’s deportation agenda —an allegation he denied in last month’s confirmation hearing.
The American people deserve to know the extent of Emil Bove’s involvement in withholding the Epstein files. pic.twitter.com/6gSwBibkZ6
— Sen. Cory Booker (@SenBooker) July 17, 2025
More than 75 former judges urged the committee to reject his nomination. Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) dismissed the criticism as “a political hit job.”
The committee also advanced the nomination of Jeanine Pirro as D.C.’s U.S. attorney. Pirro, a former Fox News host and judge, is currently serving in the role on an interim basis.
