By Steve Neavling
More than 900 former Justice Department employees are urging the Senate Judiciary Committee to reject President Donald Trump’s nominee for a federal appeals court seat, calling him unfit for the bench.
In a letter sent Wednesday, the former officials accused Emil Bove, a senior DOJ official, of undermining constitutional principles and disgracing the department, Reuters reports.
“Emil Bove has been a leader in this assault,” the letter states.
The Judiciary Committee is expected to vote Thursday on whether to advance Bove’s nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
The letter was organized by Justice Connection, a new group formed to advocate for current and former DOJ employees. Signatories include officials who served under administrations from John F. Kennedy to Trump.
Bove has faced criticism for pushing to fire prosecutors handling Jan. 6 cases and for pressuring others to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, moves that prompted a wave of resignations. A whistleblower also accused Bove of telling DOJ lawyers they could consider ignoring court orders related to migrant deportations. He has denied making the statement.
Earlier this week, 76 former federal and state judges also came out in opposition to Bove’s nomination.
