Bove's nomination for judgeship hits flak

Dems storm out of Senate hearing on Trump immigration policy enforcer. By Glenn Thrush

- By Glenn Thrush

A Senate committee voted on Thursday to advance the nomination of Emil Bove, the Justice Department enforcer who oversaw dozens of firings and the dismissal of bribery charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams, to a lifetime post as a federal judge.

Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved the nomination after Democrats stormed out in protest when the panel's chair, Sen Chuck Grassley, called the roll before every Democrat on the committee had a chance to air their objections.

"Sir, this lacks decency," said Sen Cory Booker, his voice raised and visibly agitated. "It lacks decorum. It shows that you do not want to simply hear from your colleagues. This is absolutely wrong!"

Mr Grassley ignored him and plowed on. In a voice vote, committee Republicans voted to confirm Mr Bove, 44, to a lifetime appointment on the 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals, which encompasses Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

The vote was a prelude for what is expected to be an even more intense battle on the Senate floor over a nominee seen by his many critics as the embodiment of the administration's obliteration of institutional safeguards intended to shield the department from White House interference.