Demand Progress

Trump is trying to put another one of his unqualified loyalists on the fast-track to the Supreme Court. Emil Bove, a DOJ lawyer and previously one of Trump's criminal attorneys, would be a threat to democracy if the Senate confirms him for the U.S. Court of Appeals.

Bove wouldn't rule out a 3rd Trump term and refused to denounce the January 6 Capitol attacks in a Senate questionnaire. In fact, Bove is one of the people involved in the mass firing of prosecutors involved in January 6 cases.¹ And a whistleblower recently revealed that Bove directed DOJ lawyers to defy court orders in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia being sent to a dangerous El Salvador prison.²

75 former judges sent a letter to the Senate urging lawmakers to reject Bove. The judges wrote that, “Mr. Bove’s egregious record of mistreating law enforcement officers, abusing power, and disregarding the law itself disqualifies him for this position.”³ We can’t let Trump add another crony to the highest courts in the nation.

Sign the petition: Stop Trump's extreme judicial nomination – reject Emil Bove!

If confirmed to the federal bench, Bove would be in a position of even greater power to do Trump's bidding – rubber-stamping Trump's authoritarian policies and helping to quash political dissent. Some experts believe Trump is setting Bove up to be a future Supreme Court nominee, which would make SCOTUS even more extreme and pro-Trump.⁴

Trump celebrated his nominee on Truth Social, saying that Bove would do “anything” necessary to “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”⁵ In their letter, the 75 judges noted that the post “underscores the peril of confirming a nominee whose principal qualification appears to be personal loyalty to the president.”⁶

Trump is marching forward in his quest to fill the federal government with cronies committed to his authoritarian takeover. The Senate must stop Bove and stand up for the rule of law.

Sign the petition: Oppose Trump’s nomination of Emil Bove!

Sources:

1. Axios, "Dozens of judges call Emil Bove unfit for bench in letter to Senate,” July 15, 2025.
2. CBS News, "Whistleblower's texts suggest Trump judicial nominee Emil Bove urged lawyer to defy court order,” July 10, 2025.
3. CNN, "More than 75 former judges urge Senate committee to reject Trump judicial nominee Emil Bove,” July 15, 2025.
4. The New York Times, "Trump’s Plans to Put Emil Bove on the Supreme Court,” July 16, 2025.
5. Axios, "Dozens of judges call Emil Bove unfit for bench in letter to Senate,” July 15, 2025.
6. Ibid.