11 former San Diego prosecutors join 900 ex-DOJ lawyers opposing Bove’s judicial nomination

Federal courthouse in downtown San Diego. (Photo by Chris Stone/Times of San Diego) In a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, more than 900 former Justice Department lawyers, including 11 San Diego County prosecutors, raised concerns about elevating Emil Bove, a top department official, to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. They cited Bove’s role in the dismissal of New York Mayor Eric Adams’ case, and the claims of a whistleblower who says Bove suggested the department might have to flout court orders. *900* former Justice Department employees express alarm over Emil Bove’s embattled judicial nomination.They’ve seen up close what it means to uphold the law. Bove won’t do it. pic.twitter.com/dLyiixAxkb— Senate Judiciary Democrats 🇺🇸 (@JudiciaryDems) July 16, 2025 “It is intolerable to us that anyone who disgraces the Justice Department would be promoted to one of the highest courts in the land, as it should be intolerable to anyone committed to maintaining our ordered system of justice,” they wrote. The 11 former Justice Department prosecutors from San Diego County who signed the letter are: Raymond Coughlan Assistant U.S. Attorney DC 1973-1976, DOJ Civil Division, Aviation Tort Unit 1977-1978, Assistant U.S. Attorney Southern District of California 1979-1983 Ryan Crosswell Assistant U.S. Attorney, Middle District of Louisiana 2014-2017 and Southern District of California 2017-2020; Trial Attorney, Public Integrity Section, 2020-2025 Joyce Fitzpatrick Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of California, Criminal Division, 1986-1990 Roger Haines Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of California, 1978-2007 David Katz Trial Attorney, Criminal Division, Fraud Section, 1981-1987; Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of California, 1987-2010 Sam Liccardo Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of California, 1998-2000 Michael Lipman Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of California, 1976-1983 John Robinson Assistant U.S. Attorney Criminal Division, Southern District of California Douglas R Schwartz Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Virgin Islands 1978-1980 Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California 1980-1982 Georgina Verdugo Deputy Attorney General, Legislative Affairs, 1997-99; Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of California Rebekah Young Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of California and Trial Attorney, Northern District of California, 2006-2012 The committee is expected to vote Thursday on Bove’s nomination. Bove, who also defended Trump in his criminal cases, has denied the whistleblower’s claims. He told lawmakers at his confirmation hearing: “I am someone who tries to stand up for what I believe is right.” Associated Press and Elizabeth Ireland contributed to this article.