The U.S. Senate narrowly approved the lifetime appointment of Emil Bove, a former defense attorney for Donald Trump, to a federal appeals court judgeship. The vote, which passed 50-49, saw unanimous opposition from Democrats, joined by two Republican senators.
Bove, 44, gained attention for representing Trump in multiple criminal cases following the former president’s term. His nomination sparked fierce debate, with critics accusing him of prioritizing loyalty to Trump over legal integrity. During confirmation hearings, Bove rejected claims that he acted as Trump’s “enforcer” or instructed staff to disregard court orders.
He will now serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, overseeing cases in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Supporters, including Republican Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, praised his legal expertise, while Democrats condemned his selection as politically motivated.
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski and Maine Senator Susan Collins were the only Republicans to oppose the nomination. Senate Judiciary Committee Democrat Dick Durbin argued that Bove’s primary qualification was his allegiance to Trump rather than judicial impartiality.
Before his confirmation, Bove held a senior role at the Justice Department, where Democrats allege he orchestrated the dismissal of prosecutors deemed disloyal to Trump. Whistleblowers further accused him of misleading Congress about his involvement in dropping corruption charges against New York City’s mayor.
Over 900 former Justice Department employees and 75 retired judges publicly opposed Bove’s nomination, calling it inappropriate for a president to appoint his personal attorney to a lifetime judicial position.
Trump has repeatedly placed former legal advisors in key government roles, including Alina Habba as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor and Todd Blanche as deputy attorney general. Critics argue these appointments blur the line between legal service and political reward.
The confirmation underscores ongoing tensions over judicial independence and the influence of presidential loyalists in the federal judiciary.
