'I Hope You Won't Do Something Like That Again...': John Kennedy Bluntly Speaks To Trump Judge Nom

[0:00] I want to comment. I think you've just seen some political theater that's been demonstrated here [0:09] with a lot of people that are up for nominations for the judiciary. I think I'd like to quote [0:17] Justice Jackson on another point when she was asked about January 6th during her nomination, [0:23] quote, it would be inappropriate to me to publicly weigh into any subject of political debate and [0:33] to quote Senator Kennedy. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Congratulations, Judge. I think we ought to clear [0:47] the air here. We all know what's going on. President Trump believes passionately that he won the 2020 [0:58] election. And you're being asked these questions in hopes you will say that he didn't or in hopes [1:17] that you will say that he did, regardless of what you actually think. The further hope is that it will [1:26] cause the president to twist off and pull your nomination. And that's what's going on here. [1:33] I'm not saying my good friend doesn't have the right to do that. Some would say it's kind of clever, [1:43] but I don't think we ought to kid ourselves about what's going on. Number two, my job, I don't, [1:59] this business of confirming judges has become too much of a shirts versus skins game for my taste. If I [2:09] could change it, I would, but I can't. Picking somebody for the federal benches is as serious [2:17] as four heart attacks and a stroke. You're there for life. We better get it right. And my job is to [2:27] be, as I see it, is to be an equal opportunity antagonist. Now, some would use another A word to [2:38] describe me. And I've realized that. That's my job. And the two biggest things going for you, [2:49] judge, I don't know. You have Richard Berry, it's impressive, or John Hoven and Kevin Kramer. [2:58] If they tell me you ought to be on the court of appeal, I believe them, because they understand [3:08] the role of a United States senator. There are a couple of questions I want to ask you. [3:14] Why did you, I understand, I heard your answer to Senator Durbin, but you were a sitting federal [3:24] judge, and I know some other judges joined you, but you wrote a letter to Columbia saying, [3:32] because of what I see happening at Columbia, I'll never hire one of your graduates. Why did you do that? [3:43] Senator, I was asked to sign the letter. It was indicated over a period of time. And the reason why [3:50] is because it wasn't simply a student protest that was occurring. It was a protest that was [3:59] resulting in violent conduct. Well, I know what happened. I guess what I'm getting at is our federal [4:10] judiciary has lost some of its legitimacy. I'm not laying it at your doorstep, but it has. And so many [4:20] Americans now feel, because they're told, that judges are just politicians in robes. They're just [4:30] meaning legislatures. And that's not what our founders intended. And I don't think that's what [4:36] they are. And so when a federal judge expresses a political opinion like you did, and your colleagues [4:47] did, how does that help our effort to help the public understand that judges aren't politicians? [5:00] Senator, I've been told a lot that federal judges have a lot of power. And you've said it, [5:04] I think, in other contexts. But our power is limited. It's significantly limited to the case [5:11] or controversy before us. We don't have the power of an executive. We don't even have the power to [5:16] change laws like you do as a legislator. I get that, Judge. And you're a judge. You can do what [5:21] you want. I hope you won't do something like that again. I'm not saying you don't have the right. [5:31] But when you adopt a political position, which I happen to believe, frankly, to do that as a [5:39] private lawyer is one thing. To do it as a sitting federal judge is quite another. And I just don't [5:48] think it's a good thing. That's my personal opinion. You don't tweet anymore, do you? [5:55] I do not. [5:56] Okay. You don't go on social media at all? [5:58] I go on social media to follow other people, including... [6:02] But not to post. [6:03] Not at all. In fact, I think I know the name of your elliptical. [6:08] Yeah. Margaret and I had a date Sunday night. [6:13] In the carport. [6:14] In my carport. She won. Thank you. I'm over. I'm sorry, Mr. Chairman.