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The Senate narrowly voted to proceed with considering the nomination of former Trump attorney Emil Bove to a federal court of appeals on Tuesday.
The vote of 50-48 saw one Republican dissent and vote against the nomination, while Democrats have made efforts to slow down the process. Bove, who currently works at the Justice Department, has been nominated to serve on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Democrats have raised concerns about Bove, a former defense attorney for President Donald Trump, and have pointed to allegations suggesting he advised the Trump administration to disregard judicial orders. Bove has denied these allegations.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, voted with Republicans to move forward but announced that she will oppose Bove’s confirmation in the final vote. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski was the lone Republican who voted against advancing Bove’s nomination.
Emil Bove, President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit, testifies during his Senate Judiciary Committee nomination hearing in the Hart Senate Office Building on June 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)
“We need judges who will uphold the rule of law and the Constitution, regardless of their personal views,” Collins stated. “Considering Mr. Bove’s political background and some of his actions at the Department of Justice, I believe he would not be an impartial judge.”
Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee walked out of the meeting where Bove’s nomination was approved last week.
Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., tried to extend the debate time, but Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, proceeded with the vote.
“What are you afraid of?” Booker exclaimed, as Grassley attempted to continue with the vote. “Having a discussion about this nomination, putting things on record — that’s our purpose here.”
“What are they telling you,” he asked, referring to the Trump administration, “to make you act in a way that violates the decorum, decency, and respect of this committee by not allowing us to hear each other out?”
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, rejected Democratic efforts to delay the confirmation of Emil Bove to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals last week. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Booker concluded the tense exchange with Grassley by stating, “This is unjust, sir, and I stand with my colleagues in leaving,” before exiting the committee room.
It comes as the Trump administration officials have criticized “activist” judges who they argue are obstructing the president’s agenda and hindering the implementation of his broad policy objectives, including the administration’s focus on border security and immigration.
Reporting by Fox News’ Breanne Deppisch and The Associated Press.
