(Radio Iowa) – Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa and other Republicans on the panel have advanced the nomination of President Trump’s former defense attorney to a seat on a federal Appeals Court. Emil Bove is currently a top official in the U-S Justice Department and Grassley says Democrats on the panel unfairly criticized Bove. “Frankly, it crossed the line,” Grassley said. “I’ve served on this committee longer than anyone else in this room. I’ve seen a lot of confirmation fights. What we’re witnessing has all the hallmarks of a political hit job.” Democrats pressed to delay the vote and have testimony from a whistleblower who says Bove suggested the Trump Administration should ignore court orders. Democrats eventually walked out and did not vote when Grassley ended committee debate on Bove’s nomination.

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley calls for a vote on nomination of Emil Bove on July 17, 2025.

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin says Bove shouldn’t be considered for a lifetime appointment as a federal judge. “He has been trailed by a history of complaints, long predating his affiliation with President Trump, about his temperament, and lack of candor before the court,” Durbin said. Grassley says he takes whistleblower complaints seriously, but he determined comments from this whistleblower conflict with how others interpreted Bove’s advice. “In short, the documents don’t say what my Democratic colleagues say they do,” Grassley said. “…Mr. Bove has a strong legal background and has served his country honorably. He deserves fair treatment. The vicious, partisan attacks and obstruction of nominees we’ve seen from Democrats this Congress have to stop.”

Grassley and other Republicans on the panel also advanced former Fox News host Jeanine Pirrio’s nomination to serve as the U-S Attorney for the District of Columbia. She’s been serving as acting U-S Attorney in the district since May.