Trump’s Former Lawyer Emil Bove Confirmed As US Appeals Court Judge Despite Opposition

Last Updated:July 30, 2025, 18:55 IST

The Republican-led Senate voted 50–49 in favour of Bove. All Democrats voted against his confirmation.

Bove, 44, will now oversee federal courts in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware (Image: X)

Emil Bove, an official at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and former defence attorney for US President Donald Trump, has secured a seat on a federal appeals court, according to a report by The Washington Post. Despite strong opposition from Democrats and two Republicans, the Senate confirmed Bove’s appointment to a lifetime position as a judge on the 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Republican-led Senate voted 50–49 in favour of Bove. All Democrats voted against his confirmation, as did two Republican senators—Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine. Bill Hagerty, a Republican representing Tennessee, was notably absent from the vote.

Republican chairman of the judiciary committee, Chuck Grassley, voiced his support for Bove ahead of the vote, stating, “He has a strong legal background and has served his country honourably. I believe he will be diligent, capable and a fair jurist." In contrast, Democrat Dick Durbin, also on the judiciary committee, sharply criticised Bove’s appointment, saying, “Mr Bove’s primary qualification appears to be his blind loyalty to this president."

The confirmation has stirred controversy, particularly in light of previous allegations made by whistleblowers. They claimed that Bove had ignored legal procedures, defied court orders, and disregarded internal regulations at the DOJ. He has also been accused of bypassing key DOJ protocols during his tenure.

Bove, 44, will now oversee federal courts in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. A long-time ally of Trump, he notably represented the president in three of the four criminal trials filed against him following the conclusion of Trump’s presidential first term in 2020.

During his confirmation hearings, Bove denied claims that he was merely acting as Trump’s “henchman". He also rejected the whistleblower allegations, maintaining that he conducted his duties appropriately and within legal bounds. Since Trump’s return to the White House for a second term, Bove has held the position of principal associate deputy attorney general at the DOJ.

According to a report by the BBC, Bove’s nomination has faced significant resistance. Critics, primarily from the Democratic Party, argue that he was involved in orchestrating the mass dismissal of prosecutors viewed as insufficiently loyal to Trump. More than 900 former Department of Justice employees signed a petition urging the withdrawal of Bove’s nomination. Several retired state and federal judges have also spoken out, calling it “inappropriate" for a sitting president to nominate his former criminal defence lawyer to such a high-ranking judicial role.

Nevertheless, Trump appears unfazed by the backlash. A number of his former legal representatives now hold influential federal roles under his administration, including Alina Habba and Todd Blanche.

Location :

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published:

News world Trump’s Former Lawyer Emil Bove Confirmed As US Appeals Court Judge Despite Opposition

Read More