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Year: 2025

Top DOJ official faces test in Senate over nomination to become federal judge

Top DOJ official faces test in Senate over nomination to become federal judge

Emil Bove will appear Wednesday before the Senate, where he is expected to face tough questions during a hearing about his controversial entrance into Justice Department leadership and former role as President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer. Trump nominated Bove, who fiercely defended the president during his criminal prosecutions, to serve in a lifetime role as a judge on the Pennsylvania-based Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Trump said Bove would “restore the Rule of Law,” a remark that came as sitting judges have drawn Trump’s ire for handing down dozens of orders blocking parts of his agenda. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who has worked closely with Bove for years, told Fox News Digital in a phone interview ahead of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that Bove was a “freaking brilliant lawyer” and that his nomination to the appellate court was a “no-brainer.” Blanche described his colleague as the “most gentle, empathetic, great person that anybody could ever work with,” a characterization sharply at odds with some who have been in Bove’s crosshairs. Bove’s background In his early years, Bove was a high-achieving student, a division one athlete on his college lacrosse team and a Georgetown University law school graduate. He went on to clerk for two federal judges and worked for about a decade as federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, where he led high-profile terrorism and drug trafficking cases through 2019. TRUMP NOMINATES FORMER DEFENSE ATTORNEY EMIL BOVE FOR FEDERAL APPEALS COURT VACANCY Blanche brought Bove into his private practice, where they tag-teamed Trump’s prosecutions, including by appearing by the president’s side during his six-week hush money trial in Manhattan last year. At the end of it, Trump was convicted by a jury of 34 counts of falsifying business records, marking the lone case out of Trump’s four to lead to a conviction. ‘Superb’ legal writer Blanche said that behind the scenes, Bove was critical to their defense work and wrote the vast majority of their legal briefs. In letters to the Senate, a group of Republican state attorneys general said Bove was courageous for representing Trump “when few other attorneys would step up.” Attorney Gene Schaerr called Bove’s brief writing “superb.” One of Bove’s past law firms said he was “eminently qualified.” Nearly three dozen retired law enforcement officials praised Bove as a “trusted and respected partner,” saying he had a profound understanding of the Drug Enforcement Administration and was responsible for breaking apart transnational criminal networks. “His efforts have directly contributed to high-impact cases that have saved lives and protected vulnerable populations,” the retired officials wrote. Others heaped similar praise. Eric Adams debacle The rosy picture that Blanche and Bove’s supporters paint is drastically different from the one presented by a handful of DOJ officials who left the department because of Bove and defense lawyers who observed him in action during his time as a New York prosecutor. While Bove was serving as acting deputy attorney general ahead of Blanche’s confirmation in March, two top lawyers in the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office and five officials in the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section chose to abruptly leave their jobs instead of complying with Bove’s order to drop New York Mayor Eric Adams’s federal corruption charges. During the debacle, a judge dismissed the Democratic mayor’s charges with prejudice, instead of without prejudice as Bove had requested, meaning the Trump administration could not bring the case again. The judge’s decision came after the ousted lawyers blasted Bove for engaging in a dishonest quid pro quo with the mayor. The chain of events left some conservative legal analysts harshly questioning the wisdom of Bove’s actions, saying it undermined the DOJ’s work. Immigration whistleblower Trump’s mass deportation plan involved the unprecedented move of invoking a wartime law called the Alien Enemies Act. Bove indicated during an internal meeting in March that he anticipated judges would attempt to shut down the operation, according to attorney Erez Reuveni. Reuveni, a 15-year DOJ veteran who was fired after struggling to defend one of the Trump administration’s deportation during a Maryland court hearing, said in a whistleblower complaint published Tuesday that Bove shocked meeting attendees by telling them they would “need to consider telling the courts ‘f*** you’ and ignore any such court order.” TRUMP FACES JUDGE BOASBERG OVER MIGRANT DEPORTATION FLIGHTS DEFYING COURT ORDER Reuveni said Bove’s remarks were far afield of anything he had heard at DOJ during his tenure there and that court defiance and misleading judges were a hallmark of the department during some of the most controversial immigration cases that arose in March. DOJ attorneys have been admonished by judges for appearing to flout court orders, but they have, thus far, avoided being held in contempt of court and other sanctions. ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ Bove was known by some of his peers as a zealous prosecutor during his SDNY days, but defense lawyers were alarmed by his ruthlessness. Some viewed him as vicious, rude and power-hungry, according to interviews with attorneys and media reports. One longtime defense lawyer who crossed paths with Bove in New York told Fox News Digital the nominee was an arrogant “bully” and browbeat people. TRUMP SOUNDS OFF AFTER ‘HIGHLY CONFLICTED’ OBAMA-NOMINATED JUDGE ASSIGNED SIGNAL CHAT LAWSUIT: ‘DISGRACEFUL’ In 2018, a band of defense lawyers said in emails reported by the Associated Press that Bove needed “adult supervision” and could not “be bothered to treat lesser mortals with respect or empathy.” A retired New York City FBI agent told the Associated Press that Bove’s perceived turnabout on Jan. 6 riot cases was “almost like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” Bove showed no outward concerns while in New York when he helped with prosecuting the cases, the retired agent said. When Bove stepped into his role at Trump’s DOJ, he warned the FBI in a formidable memo that leadership would take “personnel action” against FBI agents who participated in Jan. 6 cases, which Trump “appropriately described as a ‘grave national injustice’ that has

Trump thanks Jeb Bush for strong praise of Iran strike: ‘Very much appreciated!’

Trump thanks Jeb Bush for strong praise of Iran strike: ‘Very much appreciated!’

President Donald Trump thanked former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush after he praised the president’s decision to order strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran. “Thank you to Jeb Bush — Very much appreciated!” Trump declared in a Tuesday Truth Social post. Bush, the chairman of the organization United Against Nuclear Iran, issued a statement with several others from the group hailing the president’s move. ISRAEL BACKS AWAY FROM HEAVIER STRIKES ON IRAN, MAINTAINING CEASEFIRE AFTER TRUMP PRESSURE “We applaud President Trump and the United States for this decision—one of the most important of the 21st century,” the statement declared, calling it “an act of courage, clarity, and historical necessity.” “President Trump’s decision to neutralize Iran’s regime’s nuclear program is a watershed moment—one that reasserts American strength, restores deterrence, and sends an unmistakable message to rogue regimes: the era of impunity is over. Where others delayed and wavered, President Trump acted,” the statement asserted, in part. TRUMP PRESSURES CONGRESS TO PASS ‘BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL,’ INSISTING ‘NO ONE GOES ON VACATION UNTIL IT’S DONE’ Bush is the son of the late President George H.W. Bush, and the brother of former President George W. Bush. The former Sunshine State governor was one of the Republicans who pursued the GOP presidential nomination during the 2016 election cycle, but he dropped out after failing to perform well in early GOP nominating contests. GEORGE BUSH REVEALS WHO HE VOTED FOR IN 2020 Former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley and former Vice President Mike Pence are also among those who have expressed support for Trump’s move.

Former Trump Ambassador Scott Brown launches bid to flip key battleground Senate seat from blue to red

Former Trump Ambassador Scott Brown launches bid to flip key battleground Senate seat from blue to red

EXCLUSIVE — Saying he wants to help secure America’s future and deliver results for New Hampshire families, former ambassador and former Sen. Scott Brown on Wednesday launched a Republican Senate campaign in the key New England swing state. “My life has been the American story, but I worry about what America is going to look like for my four grandchildren — and all of yours,” Brown said in a campaign video announcement, which was shared first nationally with Fox News. Brown is a former senator from neighboring Massachusetts and the 2014 GOP Senate nominee in New Hampshire who later served as U.S. ambassador to New Zealand in President Donald Trump’s first administration. He becomes the first major Republican to jump into the 2026 battle to succeed retiring longtime Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.  It’s expected to be a competitive and expensive race for a seat the GOP is working to flip from blue to red. New Hampshire, along with Georgia and Michigan, are the three top targets for Senate Republicans as they aim to expand their 53-47 majority in the chamber.  FIRST ON FOX: REPUBLICAN LAUNCHES SECOND STRAIGHT BID TO FLIP DEMOCRAT-HELD SENATE SEAT IN KEY BATTLEGROUND While Republicans enjoy total control of New Hampshire’s state government, the Granite State, for nearly a decade, has had an all-Democratic congressional delegation.  And Brown took aim at them in an interview with Fox News Digital, arguing that “they’re just really out of touch with the values of New Hampshire. … I think we can do better. “I’m looking to help save America and help protect our New Hampshire advantage,” Brown added, referring to the state’s economic and social characteristics, which have long made it attractive for businesses and residents. ONLY ON FOX NEWS: SENATE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN CHAIR REVEALS HOW MANY SEATS HE’S AIMING FOR IN 2026 In his campaign launch video, Brown criticized former President Joe Biden and Rep. Chris Pappas of New Hampshire, who at this early date appears to have cleared the field in the race for the Democratic Party Senate nomination. Pointing to what he charged was “the soaring inflation, open borders, rising crime and extreme-left policies” of the Biden administration, Brown argued,  “Chris Pappas has stood with Joe Biden every step of the way, from opening the border to driving up the cost of everything. It’s time for a change.” Brown has made a handful of trips to the nation’s capital to meet with GOP leaders and officials, including National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Tim Scott of South Carolina. And Brown told Fox News he’s been dealing with the Trump political team. “I support him. I would love his support,” Brown said of his former boss, whom he noted he voted for in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 presidential elections. In his announcement video, he added that “President Trump is fighting every day to right the ship.” TOP POLITICAL HANDICAPPER REVEALS DEMOCRATS CHANCES OF WINNING BACK THE SENATE MAJORITY Pointing to the military strike the president launched on Iran’s nuclear sites over the weekend weekend, Brown said Trump’s decision was “brilliant, and he should be commended.”  And he criticized Pappas for saying in a statement, “I am monitoring the situation in Iran closely.” “There’s nothing to monitor. The president did the right thing,” Brown argued. On the eve of Brown’s campaign launch, the New Hampshire Democratic Party pilloried Brown as a “Trump loyalist” and charged that he “has a decade-long, extreme record on abortion.” While Brown is the first major Republican in the race, he may not have the GOP primary field to himself. Republican businessman and attorney Phil Taub, best known for his Swim with a Mission charity supporting veterans, is considering a run. Among the others mulling a bid are state Sen. Dan Innis and businessman Walter McFarlane. Brown made headlines in 2010 as a state senator in blue state Massachusetts when he won a special U.S. Senate election to serve the remainder of the term of the late longtime Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy.  After losing re-election in 2012 to Elizabeth Warren, Brown eventually moved to New Hampshire, the state where he had spent the first years of his childhood and where his family had roots dating back to the colonial era. He launched a Senate campaign months later and narrowly lost to Shaheen in the 2014 election. After hosting nearly all the Republican presidential candidates in the 2016 cycle at speaking events he called “No BS backyard BBQs,” Brown eventually endorsed Trump in the weeks ahead of New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary. After Trump was elected president, he nominated Brown as U.S. ambassador to New Zealand, where the former senator served for four years. Returning to New Hampshire at the end of the first Trump administration, Brown supported his wife Gail, a former television news reporter and anchor, as she ran for Congress in 2022.  And the Browns also stayed politically active in other ways, once again hosting many of the Republican presidential candidates at their “Backyard BBQs” during the 2024 presidential cycle. Asked in May 2023 if he’d consider another Senate run, Brown told Fox News Digital, “Of course.” Brown jumped in late in the 2014 campaign, just seven months before Election Day. This time around, the 65-year-old Brown, who competed in nine triathlons last year and who, on average, performs around 40–50 gigs a year as lead singer and guitarist with the rock band Scott Brown and the Diplomats, is giving himself plenty of political runway.  Brown has been crisscrossing New Hampshire since late last year, meeting with Republican and conservative groups. “It’s different than when I ran before,,” Brown told Fox News. “I’ve now had the opportunity to go to places that, quite frankly, I didn’t have time to do [in his 2014 campaign]. I’ve been meeting with people, meeting with everybody.”