'Abused his position': Trump slammed for nominating personal attorney to federal judiciary

President Donald Trump on Wednesday nominated Emil Bove — one of his closest and most combative legal allies — to a federal appeals court, a decision that has sparked backlash due to Bove’s controversial actions and close ties to Trump.

Previously, Bove served as one of Trump’s lead criminal defense attorneys. Over the past four months, in his role as a senior Justice Department official, he has carried out Trump’s directives for strict immigration enforcement.

“Emil is SMART, TOUGH, and respected by everyone,” Trump wrote on his social platform Truth Social as he announced his nomination.

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“He will end the Weaponization of Justice, restore the Rule of Law, and do anything else that is necessary to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”

“Emil Bove will never let you down!” the president added.

Democratic lawmakers strongly reacted to the move, accusing Bove of abusing his position. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) wrote a series of posts on the social platform X denouncing Trump's decision.

"As a senior Justice Department official, Mr. Bove has abused his position in numerous ways — such that I led all Senate Judiciary Democrats in filing a professional misconduct complaint against him with the New York State Bar," Durbin said.

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"Mr. Bove’s alleged misconduct not only speaks to his fitness as a lawyer, but his activities are part of a broader pattern by President Trump and his allies to undermine the traditional independence of the Justice Department and the rule of law," he added.

The Illinois Democrat continued: "The silver lining of today’s news is that the Committee will now have the chance to question Mr. Bove, under oath, about his alleged professional misconduct and more."

Sens. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) also condemned the move and issued a joint statement against Bove's nomination.

“Emil Bove’s nomination to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals is deeply troubling. It is vital that the federal judiciary in New Jersey be committed to upholding the ideals of independence and objectivity. On this measure, Emil Bove has fallen short, repeatedly engaging in conduct as a top advisor in Trump’s administration that undermines his credibility as an objective jurist, including purging career prosecutors and attacking those who worked on January 6th investigations, firing FBI officials who were not adequately loyal to President Trump, and directing the dismissal of the federal government’s case against Mayor Eric Adams to advance the President’s mass deportation agenda," the New Jersey Democrats wrote.

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"Judges must be committed to upholding the rule of law, due process, and fairness. Emil Bove’s actions have compromised our faith that he can be this," the statement added.

The senators continued: “Traditionally, selecting circuit court nominees is a collaborative process between the Senate and the White House. In this case, that tradition was cast aside. We had hoped to find a pick that would inspire broad-based confidence and support, but this is a deeply polarizing choice."

Legal commentators also took to X to voice their concerns about Bove's nomination.

Lawyer Ed Whelan wrote on X: "Trump's assurance that Emil Bove as a judge would do 'anything else that is necessary to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN' presents an odd and highly politicized understanding of the judicial role."

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Stanford Law School professor Orin Kerr said: "Trump on nominating Emil Bove to a seat on the Third Circuit: Bove will 'do anything . . . that is necessary to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. Emil Bove will never let you down!' When the law says that you're wrong, the role of a judge should be to let you down."