Bove Confirmed to Appeals Court After Whistleblowers Emerge (1)

The US Senate confirmed Emil Bove to a New Jersey federal appeals court seat over the objections of Democrats, ex-judges, and others who say the top Justice Department official and former personal lawyer to Donald Trump is unfit to serve.

The 50-49 vote Tuesday night to send Bove to the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit capped a swift confirmation process that centered on controversies around his work in the second Trump administration and his years as a federal prosecutor in Manhattan.

He’s faced scrutiny over his decisions at the Justice Department to investigate FBI officials and to direct the firing of Washington prosecutors who worked on Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot cases. His move to drop criminal charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams also drew criticism both inside and outside the Justice Department.

He also faced whistleblower allegations accusing him of misconduct in his prior roles at the Justice Department.

Two whistleblowers—fired Justice Department lawyer Erez Reuveni and another former department lawyer proceeding anonymously—alleged that Bove suggested government lawyers disregard court orders in a challenge to the Trump administration’s policy to send alleged gang members to a Salvadoran prison.

A disclosure by a third whistleblower, the most recent anonymous claim unveiled before the confirmation vote, relates to Bove’s decision to dismiss criminal charges against Adams while at the Manhattan US attorney’s office, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Bove repeatedly denied accusations of misconduct throughout his confirmation process, while Republicans characterized criticism of him as false outrage and praised his credentials. At one point, Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) accused Democrats of carrying out a political hit job.

The Third Circuit covers federal trial courts in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Bove’s appointment tilts the balance of judges on that bench to a majority of members appointed by Republican presidents.