President Trump nominated Emil Bove, a top Justice Department official who previously worked as one of Trump’s criminal defense attorneys, to a federal appeals court Wednesday.
Trump announced Bove’s nomination to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a post on Truth Social, calling it a “great honor.”
“Emil is SMART, TOUGH, and respected by everyone. He will end the Weaponization of Justice, restore the Rule of Law, and do anything else that is necessary to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Emil Bove will never let you down,” he continued.
The 3rd Circuit hears appeals arising from federal district courts in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the Virgin Islands. Bove must be confirmed by the Senate before assuming the role.
A graduate of Georgetown Law, Bove is a former federal prosecutor in New York City who at one point led the office’s terrorism and international narcotics unit.
After Trump was indicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records in New York stemming from a hush money deal with a porn actor, Bove entered the then-candidate’s orbit in 2023 as one of his criminal defense attorneys.
Bove worked alongside Todd Blanche to represent Trump at the blockbuster trial, which culminated one year ago this week in the first criminal conviction of a former president.
Bove also represented Trump in his two federal prosecutions brought by special counsel Jack Smith, which concerned Trump’s retention of classified documents and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The cases were dismissed upon Trump winning the election.
After Trump took office, Bove briefly served as the Justice Department’s acting No. 2 official until Blanche was confirmed by the Senate. Ever since, Bove has worked as Blanche’s deputy.
The New York Times reported earlier that Bove was being considered for the judgeship.
Bove’s nomination comes weeks after Trump announced his first round of judicial nominees since retaking the White House.
