Democratic members of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee walked out of the meeting on Thursday as the committee prepared to vote for President Donald Trump's personal lawyer to become a judge for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) remained for a few moments, where he lectured Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) for refusing to allow statements before the vote.
Democrats invoked "Rule 4," which would have allowed the debate on Bove to continue. Grassley ignored it. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) went to the Senate Parliamentarian to try to stop Senate consideration of Bove, as Grassley had broken the rules.
At one point, it appeared that a Grassley staffer reached over to try and cut off the microphone.
Democrats were endeavoring to call whistleblowers to be heard by the committee, while Booker shamed Grassley, even going so far as to ask, "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 for each other to at least hear each other out."
"This is a kangaroo court," exclaimed Sen. Masie Hirono (D-HI).
As the senators exited the room, Booker lectured, "That's all we have here. Mr. Chairman, to violate your own rules without going by the mandates of the parliamentarian. This is unbelievable. There's a way to do this if you want to force this through. If you want to ram this through, there's a way to do it in accordance with the rules as spelled out by the parliamentarian. It is simple. It is clear there's a pathway to achieve what you're trying to achieve. But, sir, this lacks decency. It lacks decorum. It shows that you do not want to simply hear from your colleagues. This is absolutely wrong. And, sir, this is, to me, one of those moments where we are not showing common respect for each other on both sides."
He recalled being in the majority and being polite enough to listen to the other side deliver passionate statements about the matter ahead of a vote.
"This is not that. This is us simply trying to rush through one of the most controversial nominees we've had under this presidential administration, sir. God bless America. You are a good man. You are a decent man. Why are you doing this?" he asked.
Former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) noted that there are "rumors in Washington" that Trump will nominate Bove to the U.S. Supreme Court if there is a vacancy.
Scores of judges and more than 900 Justice Department prosecutors signed letters in opposition to Bove.
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