Emil Bove suggested DOJ flip off the courts, so naturally Republicans rewarded him with a ‘lifetime power’

The Senate has confirmed former Trump lawyer Emil Bove to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals with a 50-49 vote on Tuesday night, despite strong opposition and serious concerns about his past conduct. Only two Republicans joined Democrats in voting against his lifetime appointment to the federal appellate bench.

According to MSNBC, Bove’s nomination faced unprecedented resistance from the legal community, with several dozen former judges and more than 900 former Justice Department lawyers urging senators to reject his confirmation. The opposition stemmed from various controversies surrounding his professional conduct and decisions during his time at the Justice Department.

According to whistleblower Erez Reuveni, a 15-year veteran federal prosecutor, Bove suggested during a meeting that the Department of Justice should consider telling the courts ‘f— you’ and ignore court orders. This type of disregard for judicial authority reflects broader concerns about Trump administration officials undermining legal institutions, similar to other instances where Trump allies have been accused of plotting against democratic norms. The courts “f— you” and ignore court orders. This occurred during a case involving the Alien Enemies Act and allegations about the violation of a court order regarding deportation flights.

More whistleblowers come forward as internal documents support allegations

After Reuveni’s testimony, additional whistleblowers came forward, and internal documents released by Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats appeared to support these allegations. While Bove denied these claims, his past actions continued to raise concerns among legal professionals.

During his time at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Bove developed a reputation for being an unprofessional and abusive prosecutor. He later became Trump’s defense attorney and, after losing the Stormy Daniels case, was rewarded with a high-ranking position in the Justice Department. 

The legal community’s response to Trump-connected lawyers has been significant, with major law firms losing partners and clients after caving to Trump’s pressure, showing how controversial Trump associations have become in the legal profession. In this role, he was involved in firing federal prosecutors working on January 6 cases and overseeing the dismissal of New York Mayor Eric Adams’ corruption case.

Further adding to the controversy, Bove’s responses in his post-hearing Senate questionnaire raised additional red flags. He refused to rule out the possibility of a president serving a third term, despite Constitutional restrictions, and declined to condemn the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The confirmation marks a significant shift in Senate conduct compared to similar situations in the past. During the Watergate scandal in 1973, both Republican and Democratic senators rejected L. Patrick Gray’s FBI director nomination due to his connections to White House scandals. However, in 2025, most Senate Republicans proceeded with Bove’s confirmation despite the serious allegations and unprecedented opposition from the legal community.