#StopBove!

On May 28, 2025, President Trump nominated Emil Bove to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. This nomination should alarm anyone who cares about civil rights, democratic accountability, and the rule of law.

Bove, who previously served as Donald Trump’s personal defense attorney, is being rewarded for his loyalty and his demonstrated willingness to place said loyalty over the Constitution, the law, and our nation’s core principles. Bove epitomizes the Trump administration’s attempts to seize control of the federal judiciary, stripping its independence and impartiality to advance its authoritarian agenda.

Emil Bove has shown he’s unfit for the bench. He is a Trump loyalist who reportedly encouraged DOJ lawyers to defy court orders. That’s not just extreme, it’s unethical. We can’t allow someone who disregards the rule of law to hold a lifetime judicial seat. It’s time to take action and #StopBove.

Emil Bove earned a B.A. in Public Policy and Economics from the University at Albany, SUNY (2003), and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center (2008).

He began his legal career as a paralegal in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (2003–2005), and later clerked for Judge Richard Sullivan (S.D.N.Y.) and Judge Richard Wesley (Second Circuit). After working at Sullivan & Cromwell (2010–2012), Bove spent nearly a decade as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York, becoming co-chair of the Terrorism and International Narcotics unit in 2019. His tenure was marred by internal conflict and complaints about coercive tactics and conduct.

After leaving government, Bove joined Chiesa, Shahinian & Giantomasi, then became a partner at Blanche Law (2023–2025), where he helped lead Donald Trump’s defense in multiple criminal cases, including the New York trial that ended in 34 felony convictions. In 2025, he was appointed Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General and briefly served as Acting Deputy Attorney General. He has since drawn criticism for firing prosecutors handling January 6 cases, interfering in the NYC Mayor Adams investigation, and pressuring officials over immigration enforcement.

To learn more about Emil Bove, visit our sister organization Alliance for Justice.

It’s time to take action and tell the Senate to #StopBove! See the various ways that you can take action below.

Call your Senators today at (202) 224-3121 and tell them to vote NO on confirming Emil Bove!

Call Script:

My name is [name], and I’m a constituent from [city] calling to ask Senator [X] to ask you to vote against Emil Bove because he is unfit to serve on the federal bench.

Emil Bove is a Trump loyalist who has no business on the federal bench. From defying court orders to pushing a political agenda, his record is a threat to judicial integrity. Our courts deserve better. We need judges who will protect the rights of all of us, not just the wealthy and powerful. I believe that Emil Bove is unfit and unqualified to serve on the federal bench. I urge Senator [X] to vote against confirming Emil Bove to the Third Circuit. Thank you.

After you’ve called, ask 5 friends to call!

Lend your name to the fight for fair courts. Sign on to urge your Senators to vote NO on confirming Emil Bove to the Third Circuit.

Sign On

Social media can help you use your network to build the movement for fair courts. Adding your voice to the conversation and using it to amplify the other actions you’re taking can help hold your senators accountable and keep Trump loyalists off our courts.

Quick tips:

Tag your senators: Look up your senators’ social media handles. Tag them in relevant posts and tweet directly at them. Encourage your friends and followers to do the same.

Utilize Hashtags: Use the hashtags #StopBove and #CourtsOverCults. Check AFJ Action’s social media and share and help amplify our messages.

Retweet, Share, Like: Engage with other users talking about your issue by retweeting, liking, and sharing their content. Ask your followers to retweet and share your posts if they agree

Build and engage an audience: Ask questions, make polls, and post other content that encourages your followers to engage with you and the issue. Send out new resources that will help people learn more about the courts.

• Emil Bove is a Trump loyalist who has no business on the federal bench. From defying court orders to pushing a political agenda, his record is a threat to judicial integrity. Our courts deserve better. #StopBove #CourtsOverCults
• Emil Bove does not deserve a seat on the federal bench. From defying court orders to pushing Trump’s agenda, his record raises serious red flags. We must #StopBove. #CourtsOverCults
• Emil Bove is a Trump loyalist who reportedly told DOJ lawyers to defy court orders. That’s not just extreme — it’s unethical. He has no business holding a lifetime seat on the federal bench. #StopBove #CourtsOverCults
• Emil Bove has shown he’s unfit for the bench — a Trump loyalist who reportedly encouraged DOJ lawyers to defy court orders. That’s not just extreme, it’s unethical. We can’t allow someone who disregards the rule of law to hold a lifetime judicial seat. #StopBove #CourtsOverCults
• Emil Bove isn’t just a Trump judicial nominee — he’s a loyalist who reportedly told DOJ lawyers to ignore court orders and say “f*** you” to judges. That level of contempt for the law disqualifies him from a lifetime seat on the bench. #StopBove #CourtsOverCults
• Emil Bove, a Trump judicial nominee, reportedly told DOJ lawyers to ignore court orders and say “f* you” to judges. That alone should disqualify him from the federal bench. No one who disrespects the rule of law belongs in a lifetime seat. #StopBove #CourtsOverCults
• Emil Bove could end up being the deciding vote in cases related to election challenges and gun violence prevention, creating chaos and disenfranchising the will of the people. #StopBove #CourtsOverCults