Senate Democrats walked out in protest during a heated Judiciary Committee meeting Thursday as Republican lawmakers advanced the nomination of Emil Bove, a former defense attorney for President Trump, to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. The walkout came after Democrats demanded a hearing on whistleblower allegations, which the Republican-led committee refused to hold.
The conflict began when Senator Cory Booker (D–NJ) cited Rule 4 of the committee’s procedures, urging Chairman Chuck Grassley (R–IA) to postpone the vote and schedule further debate. Booker argued that the committee had not provided a forum to review serious whistleblower claims raised by former DOJ attorney Erez Reuveni against Bove.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D–RI) supported the request and warned of a “rotten” process. Despite the objections, Chairman Grassley moved forward, pointing to past instances where Democrats themselves had overruled Republican concerns under prior leadership.
As the vote proceeded, Booker exclaimed, “Dear God… that’s what we are here for,” and pressed Republicans with the question, “What are you afraid of?” With no change in course, Booker, Whitehouse, and the other Democrats exited the hearing room, leaving Republicans to hold a party-line vote that advanced Bove’s nomination to the full Senate.
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D–CT) later condemned the committee’s actions as a “blatant violation” of its rules. He claimed that in his 15 years on the Judiciary Committee, he had never witnessed such a breach of precedent. Democrats insisted that a hearing on the whistleblower claims should have been a prerequisite to any vote.
Emil Bove previously served as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York and later represented President Trump in two high-profile criminal cases. Though criticized by former federal judges and prosecutors who oppose his lifetime judicial appointment, Bove has denied any wrongdoing. Under oath, he testified that he never advised DOJ attorneys to defy court orders and provided written responses to the committee.
The nomination now heads to the full Senate for a confirmation vote. Several Republican senators have not yet indicated how they will vote, adding uncertainty to the final outcome.
