Grassley characterized Bove as a qualified nominee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, which hears cases from Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the Virgin Islands. Republicans control 53 seats in the chamber and would have to lose support from four of their members to sink Bove’s nomination if the Democrats all vote against him.

Bove's candidacy was sent to the U.S. Senate for a confirmation vote despite significant opposition from former judges and prosecutors.

Trump's former defense attorney Emil Bove faces opposition from former judges and Democrats as his nomination for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals faces first test.

Amid all the Trump administration’s efforts to politicize the justice system, few loom larger right now than the nomination of top Justice Department official Emil Bove to a prestigious appeals-court judgeship.