A Senate Judiciary Committee hearing ended in chaos Thursday as Democratic senators abruptly walked out in protest over the rushed nomination of Emil Bove, a controversial pick by President Donald Trump for a federal judgeship.
Bove, once Trump’s personal lawyer and now a top Justice Department official, faces serious allegations from a whistleblower who says he pressured staff to lie to and curse at federal judges. Despite these accusations, Republicans pushed to advance Bove’s nomination without fully addressing the concerns.
The nomination is for the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. But Democrats say the GOP is moving too fast without proper scrutiny.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) led the protest, demanding that the committee hear directly from the whistleblower before voting. When committee Chair Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) refused, Booker shouted, “This is absolutely insane. What is the rush?”
“You are obligated to address a point of order according to the rules of this committee,” Booker added. “You’re violating your own rules.”
Frustrated, all Democratic members walked out, with Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) calling the hearing a “kangaroo court” as she left.
What are Republicans afraid of? Why won't they hear the truth about Trump's unfit nominee, Emil Bove?
Americans deserve the truth. pic.twitter.com/cJFGf9tV7M
— Sen. Cory Booker (@SenBooker) July 17, 2025
Ignoring the walkout, Grassley moved forward and allowed Republicans to vote. With no Democrats present, they unanimously advanced Bove’s nomination along with that of former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, nominated for U.S. attorney in the District of Columbia.
The validity of the vote is now in question. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) told NBC News it may fall to the Senate parliamentarian to decide if the vote counts.
The controversy has only intensified since more than 900 former Justice Department lawyers signed a letter expressing “deep concern” over Bove’s nomination, saying he has “disgraced” the department.
The whistleblower’s complaint centers on Bove’s role in defending Trump’s plan to fly migrants to a prison in El Salvador without due process—a move widely criticized as illegal.
Bove’s answers to written questions from senators have raised further alarm. He refused to rule out support for a third presidential term for Trump, even though the 22nd Amendment clearly forbids it. He also declined to condemn the January 6 Capitol riot.
Democrats pushed Bove for answers about his involvement in Attorney General Pam Bondi’s decision to withhold information from investigations into Jeffrey Epstein. He gave no clear response.
