President Donald Trump’s nomination of Emil Bove to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has sparked a significant conflict within the conservative legal movement, potentially threatening a long-standing alliance that has been crucial to Trump’s judicial achievements, as even Biden has highlighted why Trump’s presidency would be problematic.
According to Politico, The nomination comes at a time when Trump has publicly criticized the Federalist Society, a powerful conservative legal advocacy organization, calling its former chair Leonard Leo a “sleazebag” who “probably hates America” and blaming the group for poor advice on judicial nominations.
Bove’s handling of the criminal case against New York Mayor Eric Adams, who shares a dubious honor with Trump, has raised particular concerns, with the presiding judge describing his arguments as “unsupported by any objective evidence,” “pretextual,” and “unsubstantiated.” The case was dismissed in what appeared to be a political move to secure Adams’ support for Trump’s immigration policies.
Conservative legal experts raise concerns about judicial independence
Prominent members of the conservative legal movement have voiced opposition to Bove’s nomination, suggesting he would prioritize loyalty to Trump over the rule of law. Gregg Nunziata, a Federalist Society member and former senior aide to Senate Republicans on judicial nominations, expressed serious concerns about Bove’s willingness to “do the bidding of his political masters.”
@JessicaTarlov you seemed to take a segment about a showdown ( a showdown during a Senate hearing)& make it a full commentary bashing of Pres.Trump aka your "veering off topic"( the way you have greatly done a few times before when it comes to Trump.)
— Jean (@Jean77061492429) June 16, 2025
At the Justice Department, Bove has been involved in controversial actions, including dismissing career officials, collecting names of FBI agents who investigated January 6, and leading the department’s Weaponization Working Group. Trump praised Bove as a MAGA supporter who would “end the Weaponization of Justice.”
The nomination has created a divide between traditional conservatives and Trump allies. While groups like the Article III Project defend the nomination, others worry about the broader implications for judicial independence. Mike Davis, the group’s founder, praised Bove’s effectiveness while dismissing establishment concerns.
Senate Republicans have largely remained silent on their voting intentions, with only Utah Senator Mike Lee explicitly supporting the nomination. The outcome of this confirmation process could significantly impact Trump’s future judicial appointments and the broader conservative legal movement’s trajectory, potentially affecting everything from presidential authority to the makeup of the Supreme Court.
