Senate Democrats walked out of a Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Thursday (July 17) as Republicans advanced the nomination of Emil Bove, President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney, to the 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals. All 12 Republican committee members voted in favor, despite Democratic protests led by Senator Cory Booker.

Booker criticized committee chair Senator Chuck Grassley, saying, "What is Donald Trump saying to you that are making you do something which is violating the decorum of this committee, the rules of this committee, the decency and the respect that we have each other to at least hear each other out?” Booker said.

“This is unjust. This is wrong. It is the further deterioration of this committee’s integrity with a person like this. What are you afraid of?” he continued.

Bove, a senior Justice Department official, has faced criticism for his controversial decisions, including mass firings at the DOJ and threats against officials opposing Trump’s immigration agenda.

More than 75 former judges urged the committee to reject Bove’s nomination. A whistleblower letter alleged Bove intended to ignore court orders, claims he denied during his confirmation hearing. If confirmed, Bove will hold a lifetime appointment.