The Senate has confirmed Emil Bove to a lifetime appointment as a federal judge on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Just two Republicans sided with Democrats in Tuesday evening’s 50-49 vote, despite complaints about Bove’s conduct as a senior Justice Department official. Two whistleblowers report he told subordinates to ignore court orders blocking Trump’s deportation orders; another whistleblower claimed Bove lied to senators about his role in dismissing charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams. Bove was formerly Trump’s lawyer, defending him in three criminal trials. New Jersey Democratic Senator Cory Booker spoke ahead of his confirmation.

Sen. Cory Booker: “This is a sad day for our democracy. This is a sad day for the judiciary and a sad day for the United States Senate, whose constitutional obligation is to advise and consent, to look at all of the evidence, especially when you have whistleblowers standing up with courage and wanting to speak the truth.”