The U.S. Senate confirmed Emil Bove, a former defense attorney for Donald Trump, to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit by a narrow 50–49 vote on Tuesday. The decision came despite serious allegations from whistleblowers that Bove ignored court orders related to Trump’s deportation policies and gave misleading testimony during his confirmation hearing.
Senator Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, sharply criticized Republicans for supporting Bove’s nomination, claiming it undermines the rule of law. Schiff accused Bove of urging others to defy legal orders and lying to the Senate Judiciary Committee. In a social media post, Schiff said the confirmation highlights ongoing “corruption of the bench.”
No Democrats voted in favor of Bove, and two Republicans—Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine—also opposed the nomination. Supporters, including Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, defended Bove and dismissed the whistleblower accusations as unfair and abusive.
Bove previously worked in Trump’s Justice Department as principal associate deputy attorney general after representing the former president in criminal matters.
At the same time, Schiff is facing scrutiny over his own alleged misconduct. A letter from the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency to the Justice Department claims Schiff falsified mortgage documents for properties in Maryland and California to secure favorable loan terms. These actions allegedly affected payments between 2003 and 2019.
Although Schiff has been referred for criminal prosecution, it’s unclear whether the Justice Department has taken any steps. Both the agency and Schiff’s office declined to comment on the matter.
Trump, who has repeatedly criticized Schiff since the impeachment trials, resurfaced his accusations in July. Posting on Truth Social, Trump accused Schiff of a long-term mortgage fraud scheme and expressed hope that he would be prosecuted.
Schiff dismissed the claims as political retaliation, saying Trump has long sought revenge since his impeachment and that such attacks would not stop him from continuing to hold Trump accountable.
