The Epstein Distraction: Why Emil Bove’s Confirmation Is the Real Emergency
Why confirming Trump's loyalist judge would dismantle separation of powers and how you can stop it.
As I sat down today to write about the Epstein file debacle, I realized I was still carrying the horror and disgust I felt during Trump’s first campaign. The past week has reopened those old wounds. and I needed to write something. But, every outlet, including SubStack, is saturated with coverage of the Epstein files. I doubt I can add much to what’s already been reported, and truthfully, I don’t believe Trump’s loyal sycophants in the White House will ever release any files that mention him anyway.
More importantly, the Epstein frenzy is overshadowing the confirmation hearings for Emil Bove, Trump’s former personal attorney, current high-ranking DOJ official, and nominee for a lifetime federal judgeship.1 His confirmation would codify the principle that loyalty trumps law, and would further erase the constitutional lines separating the legislative and judicial branches from the executive. Just as Project 2025 intends.
Let’s be clear: Emil Bove is corrupt.
As a senior Justice Department official, overseeing politically sensitive investigations and prosecutions, Bove has served not the law, but Trump’s personal vendettas and political ambitions.
Encouraging DOJ Lawyers to Defy Court Orders
A whistleblower, former DOJ attorney Erez Reuveni, alleges that Bove urged subordinates to ignore federal court rulings that blocked Trump-era deportation flights. Bove reportedly told them that DOJ should consider saying “f**k you” to the courts and proceed anyway. Text messages and emails provided by Reuveni support these claims. 2
This mindset isn’t limited to Bove alone. It mirrors the broader Project 2025 strategy. 3 The authors of the plan explicitly urge executive officials to implement controversial policies first and “worry about defending it in court later.” Emergency appeals to the Supreme Court have been used to bypass lower courts, freeze federal programs, dismantle civil rights protections, and restructure agencies—all without prior judicial approval. Critics warn this “lawfare” approach erodes separation of powers and empowers an imperial presidency.
Overseeing the Mass Firing of January 6 Prosecutors
Bove allegedly ordered the removal of probationary prosecutors working on January 6 investigations, contributing to a broader DOJ purge widely seen as politically motivated and retaliatory.
A letter signed by over 75 former judges opposing Bove’s nomination, underscores the judicial community’s concern about his involvement in politicized DOJ firings: 4
“Bove came under scrutiny over his role in firing career prosecutors who worked on cases arising from the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol…”
Pressuring DOJ to Drop Corruption Charges Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams
Bove reportedly intervened to dismiss federal corruption charges against Mayor Adams, in a move that led to at least 11 DOJ resignations in protest. Critics described it as an ethically indefensible “quid pro quo.” 5
According to Reuters, internal DOJ communications and witness accounts provide compelling evidence of Bove’s hands-on pressure tactics:
“Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove told the department’s career public integrity prosecutors … they had an hour to decide among themselves who would file the motion [to dismiss Adams’s corruption case], or be fired.”
And:
“The three assistant U.S. attorneys … said the Justice Department pressured them to admit wrongdoing when they refused to drop the case.”
Politicizing and Weaponizing the DOJ
Bove helped create a “weaponization working group” tasked with reviewing politically sensitive cases, including those targeting Trump, January 6 participants, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
Over 900 former and current DOJ attorneys signed a letter condemning Bove’s conduct: 6
“Emil Bove has been a leader in this assault.”
“We are all alarmed by DOJ leadership’s recent deviations from constitutional principles and institutional guardrails… [Bove] disgraced the department.”
A Record of Poor Judgment and Abuse of Power
Bove has been described as belittling subordinates, lacking professionalism, and demonstrating questionable judgment dating back to before his Trump-era service. More than 75 former federal and state judges called him “deeply inappropriate” for the federal bench. Their letter stated:
“Mr. Bove’s egregious record of mistreating law enforcement officers, abusing power, and disregarding the law itself disqualifies him for this position.” 7
Why Protesters—and Senate Democrats—Are Walking Out
Democrats argue that the confirmation process is being rushed, serious allegations ignored, and key witnesses like Reuveni silenced. Senator Cory Booker called the proceedings a “sham,” accusing Republicans of gutting due diligence and undermining judicial integrity. 8
Bove is far from the first Trump nominee confirmed in spite of a disqualifying record. Under Project 2025, vetting is obsolete. The Supreme Court has declared Trump immune from prosecution for “official acts,” and the Republican Congress has fully abdicated its checking power, by rubber-stamping nominees chosen for loyalty to Trump’s authoritarianism, not competence or ethics.
Tulsi Gabbard, widely accused of parroting Russian propaganda.
Pete Hegseth, a known adulterer, sexual assaulter, and alcoholic.
Kash Patel, a former Trump operative with a literal enemies list.
And perhaps most dangerous: Russell Vought, the architect of Project 2025, now holds the purse strings and personnel levers of the entire federal government—accelerating our transformation from a democratic republic to a plutocratic regime.
Project 2025 is succeeding in its effort to erase the constitutional boundaries between the Department of Justice and the presidency. It is undermining judicial independence and neutralizing lower courts. The Supreme Court has crowned Trump king; Congress is following suit.
If Congress confirms Emil Bove—a man so manifestly unfit that more than 900 DOJ alumni and 75 judges have publicly objected—they will have stripped themselves of the moral and institutional barriers meant to vet nominees. No one will be safe from ideological cronyism.
And if that happens, we won’t just have lost the courts.
We’ll have lost the Republic.
Call to Action
The full Senate vote to confirm Emil Bove is expected to occur this week, any time on or after July 21, 2025, once cloture is filed and the nomination is scheduled by Senate leadership. Confirming Bove this week completes the third Trump-era appellate bench nomination, significantly shaping the judiciary’s direction in support of an authoritarian government.
If you oppose Bove’s confirmation, contact your Senators immediately. The window is closing fast.
Your voice matters—contact your Senators and Representative by 5 PM EST MONDAY, JULY 21:
Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224‑3121. 9
Ask to speak with your Senators’ offices and your House Representative’s office.
Script suggestion:
“Hello, I’m [your name] from [city, state]. I strongly oppose the confirmation of Emil Bove to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. His record reflects repeated disregard for constitutional norms, politicization of the Justice Department, and suppression of judicial independence. Please vote NO.”
I have great folks as Members of Congress. They are doing their hardest to stop these things. In the case of Bove, we know he's going to get passed as the GOP members are scared of him.