In a narrow but decisive vote, the Republican-led U.S. Senate confirmed acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday, overcoming fierce Democrat opposition and further reshaping the judiciary in line with President Donald Trump’s constitutional vision.
The confirmation vote fell mostly along party lines, with Bove confirmed 50-49. Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine broke ranks to oppose the nomination, but their defections were not enough to block the outcome. Bove now secures a lifetime appointment on one of the nation’s most influential appellate courts.
Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the confirmation, calling it “a GREAT day for our country” and thanking Bove for his “tireless work and support” at the Justice Department. “He will be missed — and he will be an outstanding judge,” she added.
Bove is a known quantity in Trumpworld, having served as one of the president’s lead attorneys in several high-profile legal battles. He defended Trump during the Biden Justice Department’s politically charged prosecutions over classified documents and 2020 election-related claims, and he worked on the defense team during the New York “hush money” case — a case many on the right view as a partisan weaponization of the legal system.
Before joining Trump’s legal team, Bove had an extensive career as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, where he worked major drug and terrorism cases. His reputation as a tough, no-nonsense legal mind made him an ideal pick for Trump’s continued push to rein in judicial activism and restore impartiality to the bench.
Democrats, unsurprisingly, launched a barrage of last-minute attacks on Bove, citing anonymous whistleblower complaints and dredging up his role in dismissing several partisan DOJ officials — particularly those involved in the January 6 prosecutions. They also blasted him for pushing back on judicial activism in politically sensitive cases, including the Justice Department’s controversial move to drop its case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats accused Bove of undermining “norms” and “threatening democracy,” echoing the same talking points they’ve used to attack nearly every Trump nominee.
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) pushed back hard against the smear campaign.
“Mr. Bove has a strong legal background and has served his country honorably,” Grassley said before the vote. “The vicious rhetoric, unfair accusations and abuse directed at Mr. Bove by some on this Committee has crossed the line.”
Democrat Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called the confirmation a “dark day,” falsely claiming Bove “shielded” January 6 defendants and “undermined justice.” Republicans dismissed Schumer’s comments as desperate political theater aimed at rallying the left-wing base.
Despite the theatrics, Bove’s confirmation marks a significant victory for the Trump administration’s judicial agenda. With a steady hand and firm constitutionalist philosophy, Bove is expected to bring much-needed discipline and balance to the 3rd Circuit — a court that has long tilted left on key issues.
President Trump’s strategy of nominating experienced, proven legal minds with a track record of standing up to the bureaucratic left continues to bear fruit. In confirming Bove, Senate Republicans once again demonstrated their willingness to fight back against political intimidation and restore integrity to the federal judiciary.
Bove will now join the bench with a clear mandate: enforce the law, not bend it.
The post Republicans Push Past Democrat Obstruction To Confirm Trump-Aligned Judge appeared first on Real News Now.
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