Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee just staged a dramatic walkout over a Trump judicial pick, turning a routine meeting into a political theater production.
According to Fox News, on Thursday, July 17, 2025, tensions boiled over as Democrats stormed out of an executive session just before a vote to advance Emil Bove, President Donald Trump’s nominee for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, to the full Senate for confirmation.
The day started with sparks flying as Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., demanded more time to discuss allegations against Bove from a whistleblower report by former Justice Department attorney Erez Reuveni, only to be shut down by Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. Booker invoked committee rules for extra debate, but Grassley wasn’t having it, ordering the vote to proceed. It’s no surprise that conservatives see this as Democrats playing delay tactics on a qualified nominee.
As Grassley pushed forward, Democratic senators stood up and left the room in a huff, refusing to participate in the vote. Nearly an hour of heated debate couldn’t sway the chairman, and honestly, it looks like a stunt to score points with the progressive base rather than engage in good-faith governance.
Bove still cleared the committee on a strict party-line vote, showing Republicans aren’t backing down from supporting Trump’s picks. With the president’s agenda often stymied by what administration officials call “activist” judges on issues like border security, conservatives argue it’s high time for nominees like Bove to balance the scales.
Booker didn’t hold back, pleading with Grassley, “What are you afraid of?” It’s a loaded question, but let’s be real—Republicans likely see no reason to entertain last-minute accusations when the nominee’s credentials as a senior Justice Department official and former defense attorney speak for themselves.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., chimed in with a cryptic jab, saying, “There’s something rotten in Denmark.” Clever, but conservatives might counter that the only thing rotten is the attempt to smear a nominee with unproven claims instead of debating on merit.
The whistleblower report from Reuveni has Democrats up in arms, and they’re not alone—dozens of former judges and hundreds of ex-prosecutors have called for Bove’s rejection from this lifetime federal bench appointment. While their opposition carries weight, it’s worth noting that Trump’s team has faced similar pushback on nearly every judicial pick, often framed as resistance to his broader policy goals.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-CT, spoke to reporters after the walkout, fuming over what he called a “blatant violation” of committee rules. It’s a strong accusation, but Republicans might argue Democrats are selectively outraged when it suits their narrative.
Blumenthal didn’t stop there, telling the press, “I haven’t seen anything like it in 15 years.” Hyperbole aside, conservatives could point out that procedural hardball is hardly new in the Senate, no matter who’s in charge.
Grassley, for his part, brushed off the criticism and pointed out that a similar move occurred under a Democratic majority in November 2023, when two of then-President Joe Biden’s judicial picks pushed through despite Republican objections. “What we did is not unprecedented,” Grassley insisted, and he made a fair point—both sides play tough when they hold the gavel.
The chairman’s stance is clear: business must move forward, even if it means ruffling feathers. For Trump supporters, this is a refreshing display of spine against what they see as endless obstructionism from the left on judicial appointments.
Still, Bove’s journey to confirmation in the full Senate isn’t a done deal, with lingering concerns over the whistleblower allegations casting a shadow. Conservatives might argue it’s critical to focus on his record rather than unverified claims, especially given the stakes of reshaping the judiciary.
Critics began pushing back against Bove’s nomination the moment Trump announced him earlier in 2025, with lawmakers, former prosecutors, and judges voicing disapproval. Yet, many on the right view this as the usual suspects lining up to oppose any Trump nominee, no matter how qualified.
Ultimately, this walkout exposes the sharp divide in Washington over judicial appointments. Democrats condemn procedural violations, while Republicans push forward to cement Trump’s influence on the judiciary. As the left protests, conservatives frame this as a necessary stand against a progressive agenda they believe exploits the courts. One thing remains clear—Bove’s confirmation fight is far from finished.
