The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the nomination of Emil Bove to the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday, along with four district court nominees, as Democrats staged a walkout in protest. The vote proceeded along party lines, and a full Senate vote on Bove could happen as early as next week.
Bove, a senior Justice Department official and former personal attorney to President Trump, has drawn criticism from Democrats over his involvement in removing Jan. 6 prosecutors, dismissing corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and allegedly encouraging DOJ officials to defy immigration-related court orders. More than 900 former DOJ attorneys have opposed his nomination, while senior DOJ staff have dismissed the backlash as politically driven.
Under sworn testimony, Bove denied all allegations, including any role in Jan. 6 pardon discussions or politically motivated dismissals, insisting decisions were made lawfully and based on prosecutorial discretion. Attorney General Pam Bondi defended Bove as “principled and fearless,” a sentiment echoed by GOP lawmakers during the session.
The committee also approved four Trump-nominated judges to Florida district courts: Ed Artau (Southern District), and Kyle Dudek, Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe, and Jordan E. Pratt (Middle District). It reviewed U.S. Attorney nominees including Kurt Alme (Montana), Nicholas W. Chase (North Dakota), Lesley Murphy (Nebraska), Jeanine Pirro (D.C.), Daniel Rosen (Minnesota), Erik Siebert (Eastern Virginia), and Kurt Wall (Middle Louisiana).
