On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) rigorously questioned Third Circuit Court of Appeals nominee Emil Bove during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, focusing on Bove’s professional history and actions within the Trump administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ).

Padilla raised concerns about Bove’s involvement in controversial decisions, including the dismissal of DOJ prosecutors and the dropping of charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Bove, who joined the Trump administration’s DOJ in January 2025 as Principal Deputy Attorney General before becoming Acting Deputy Attorney General, faced scrutiny for his role in terminating numerous DOJ prosecutors involved in January 6 insurrection cases.

Previously, as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Bove had worked on January 6 cases himself but later described those prosecutions as a “grave national injustice.” He ordered the Federal Bureau of Investigation to compile a list of all individuals involved in these cases, a move Padilla criticized as an effort to purge perceived “enemies” from the DOJ.

“It’s become clear that President Trump clearly has one litmus test when selecting people to appoint. It’s not experience. It’s not dedication to our country or the rule of law. It’s whether or not the potential nominee is willing to bend or ignore the law to satisfy the President’s whims,” Padilla stated.

During the hearing, Bove avoided direct answers about the number of January 6 prosecutors fired or the number of rioters pardoned by President Trump. Padilla noted that Trump estimated pardoning around 1,500 individuals, a figure he deemed implausible for thorough vetting.

“To think that on the first day in office, he would have considered case by case, that volume of files to make the determination that they should be pardoned – that’s clearly not believable, and we know that dozens of those pardoned had prior criminal records, including rape, sexual abuse of a minor, domestic violence and more,” Padilla said.

Padilla also challenged Bove’s involvement in dismissing corruption charges against Mayor Adams, a decision tied to Adams’ cooperation with the Trump administration’s immigration policies. This action prompted eight prosecutors, including interim U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, to resign.

“Mr. Bove’s actions in this case led eight prosecutors, eight, including the interim U.S. attorney Danielle Sassoon, who had clerked for Justice Scalia, to resign,” Padilla remarked, highlighting the significant fallout. Despite this, President Trump nominated Bove for a lifetime appointment to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in New Jersey, a state with which Bove has minimal connections.

Beyond Bove, Padilla questioned four other Trump judicial nominees for Florida District Courts about the Executive Branch’s obligation to follow court orders.

Last week, Padilla and other Senate Judiciary Democrats requested personal records related to Bove from interim U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton. They also filed a professional misconduct complaint against Bove with the New York State Bar, citing his role in dismissing charges against Adams and requesting a disciplinary investigation.