Overview
- The Senate voted 50–49 to confirm Emil Bove to a lifetime seat on the Third Circuit with no Democratic support and Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins dissenting.
- Whistleblower Erez Reuveni alleged that Bove told DOJ lawyers to defy court orders, a claim backed by two additional whistleblowers and a letter from over 900 former DOJ attorneys warning of an assault on the rule of law.
- Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley defended Bove as thoroughly vetted and dismissed the allegations as unfair obstruction.
- Senate Republicans led by Majority Leader John Thune are considering changes to confirmation procedures, including lowering vote thresholds to break Democratic holds on nominees.
- President Trump has publicly urged ending the blue slip practice to strip home-state senators of veto power over judicial nominations.