This week saw the senate vote to confirm Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove in his new role as a federal appeals court judge.

That decision was fiercely opposed by Democrats, who furiously stormed out of a hearing prior to the vote. 

Senate minority leader denounces Bove as a "henchman"

According to Fox News, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer slammed Bove when speaking to reporters, denouncing him as "the extreme of the extreme."

"He's not a jurist," the New York Democrat declared. "He's a Trumpian henchman. That seems to be the qualification for appointees these days."

Democratic lawmakers were not alone in voicing opposition to Bove, as Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins also voted against his confirmation.

Fox News noted how Department of Justice (DOJ) whistleblower Erez Reuveni asserted that during a meeting in March that Bove suggested defying orders issued by Democrat-appointed judges, a claim which Bove denies.

Sen. Chuck Grassley: "There's no scandal"

What's more, Reuveni further alleged that Bove helped create an unprecedented culture of misleading federal judges at the DOJ.

However, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley declared on the Senate floor that Bove had been the target of "unfair accusations and abuse."

The Iowa senator said his staff had spoken with a dozen people and found no evidence to corroborate the contention that Bove had called for courts to be defied.

"He has a strong legal background and has served his country honorably. I believe he will be a diligent, capable, and fair jurist," Grassley insisted.

"Even if you accept most of the claims as true, there’s no scandal," he continued. "Government lawyers aggressively litigating and interpreting court orders isn’t misconduct—it’s what lawyers do."

Attorney general welcomes Bove's confirmation

For her part, Attorney General Pam Bondi welcomed Bove's confirmation in a statement posted to social media, writing, "This is a GREAT day for our country."

Congratulations to our dear friend Emil Bove on his confirmation to serve on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals!

This is a GREAT day for our country. 🇺🇸

I cannot thank Emil enough for his tireless work and support at @TheJusticeDept.

He will be missed — and he will be an…

— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) July 30, 2025

"I cannot thank Emil enough for his tireless work and support at [the DOJ]. He will be missed — and he will be an outstanding judge," Bondi predicted.