Emil Bove, a federal appeals court judge and former personal attorney to President Trump, is facing an ethics complaint for attending the president’s rally-style speech Tuesday night.
The complaint, filed by watchdog group Fix the Court, alleges that Bove’s presence at the event violated key principles of judicial ethics, including the obligations to avoid impropriety and political activity. The group warned that attending a highly charged political gathering could raise questions about the judge’s impartiality and potentially lead to disciplinary action.
Fix the Court’s executive director, Gabe Roth, said the Pennsylvania event — officially billed as a celebration of Trump’s economic achievements — quickly turned into a campaign-style speech with attacks on political opponents, making it “obvious to Judge Bove” that it was a partisan gathering. Roth argued that federal judges should not be in close proximity to events of this nature.
Bove reportedly told a reporter that he attended “just … as a citizen coming to watch the president speak.” Video from the rally shows Bove in the crowd as Trump called on Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) to “get the hell out” of the country.
Critics of Bove’s confirmation to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit have previously questioned his ability to remain impartial, citing his past ties to Justice Department controversies, including efforts to dismiss corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams. Trump praised Bove at the time of his confirmation, asserting he would do whatever was necessary as a federal judge to “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
The White House has not commented directly on the complaint but has previously criticized judges it considers “activist” for issuing rulings that interfere with the president’s agenda. Bove’s office declined to comment.