Emil Bove, President Donald Trump's nominee to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the 3rd Circuit, is sworn in before testifying during his Senate Judiciary Committee nomination hearing June 25, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
But Bove's formidable demeanor and controversial decisions upon joining DOJ leadership, which included dismissing New York City Mayor Eric Adams' corruption charges and warning of personnel action for FBI employees who worked on Jan. 6 cases, have brought heightened scrutiny to his nomination to the powerful appellate court bench.
Capping off a string of reports examining these controversies was a whistleblower claim leveled Tuesday, one day prior to Bove's nomination hearing.
TRUMP NOMINATES FORMER DEFENSE ATTORNEY EMIL BOVE FOR FEDERAL APPEALS COURT VACANCY
The whistleblower, Erez Reuveni, a 15-year veteran of the department who was fired this year for perceived insubordination, alleged Bove warned during an internal meeting that DOJ attorneys might need to say "f--- you" to judges and defy any adverse orders they issue regarding one of Trump's most provocative maneuvers to deport alleged illegal immigrants.
Senate Democrats, who have widely objected to Bove's nomination, grilled the nominee over the claim, noting that flouting court orders was unconstitutional and disqualifying. Bove said he has never advised anyone to defy judges' orders.
"Did you or did you not make those comments during that meeting?" Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., pressed.
Emil Bove III speaks with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche before his confirmation hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Bove was accused by the ousted lawyers of asking the courts to throw out Adams's charges in exchange for the mayor's cooperation with the Trump administration's immigration policy. Bove denied the allegation when pressed on it.
"The suggestion that there was some kind of quid pro quo was just plain false," Bove said.
Despite Democrats' concerns and concerns voiced by some defense lawyers who said they have had negative experiences with the nominee, Bove has some loyal supporters. No Republican senators have voiced opposition to him at this stage, a sign he could eventually be confirmed, albeit narrowly.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
In an interview before the hearing, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Bove's longtime friend and colleague, told Fox News Digital that Bove was a "freaking brilliant lawyer."
Blanche said reports that Bove was unqualified were "distorted" and that installing him on the 3rd Circuit was a "no-brainer."
Ashley Oliver is a reporter for Fox News Digital and FOX Business, covering the Justice Department and legal affairs. Email story tips to ashley.oliver@fox.com.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/judicial-nominee-shuts-down-wildly-inaccurate-claims-hes-trump-henchman