Trump's Judicial Nominee
Shows No Knowledge of Basic Legal Terms in Hearing
By
for Common
Dreams
To watch this video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LY4d03MeTM
But Petersen is only the latest of Trump's judicial nominees to draw attention for their lack of eligibility.
Earlier this week, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) urged the Trump administration to withdraw its nominations of Brett Talley and Jeff Mateer, nominated to district courts in Alabama and Texas, respectively.
UPDATE: After this appalling testimony, Trump judicial nominee Matthew Spencer Peterson withdrew his name from consideration for this judgeship. He displayed no understanding of basic law and reveals is total lack of experience and competence to become a federal judge. Yet many of his fellow Trump nominees have breezed through the fast-track Republican confirmation process, leaving us with the prospect of a federal bench filled with creatures like him for generations to come.
The testimony of one of President Donald Trump's latest judicial nominees went viral after the potential future U.S. District Court judge was shown to have no knowledge of basic legal terms and little experience in law.
The testimony of one of President Donald Trump's latest judicial nominees went viral after the potential future U.S. District Court judge was shown to have no knowledge of basic legal terms and little experience in law.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) asked Federal
Election Commissioner Matthew Spencer Petersen if he had ever tried a criminal
or civil case or a case in a state or federal court, finally questioning
whether he had even taken a deposition without supervision from a more senior
attorney—the answers to all of which were "no."
Petersen also appeared to be
unfamiliar with legal rules dictating court procedures and several examples of
legal terminology.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)
posted about Petersen's testimony on Twitter, expressing shock at his flimsy
qualifications for an appointment as a federal judge.
MUST WATCH: Republican @SenJohnKennedy asks one of @realDonaldTrump’s US District Judge nominees basic questions of law & he can’t answer a single one. Hoo-boy. pic.twitter.com/fphQx2o1rcSheldon Whitehouse 8:44 PM - Dec 14, 2017
But Petersen is only the latest of Trump's judicial nominees to draw attention for their lack of eligibility.
Earlier this week, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) urged the Trump administration to withdraw its nominations of Brett Talley and Jeff Mateer, nominated to district courts in Alabama and Texas, respectively.
Talley has been found to have
limited legal experience and failed to disclose that he is married to a White
House Counsel lawyer, creating a serious conflict of interest should he be
nominated, while Mateer has expressed homophobic and transphobic views and has
supported LGBTQ "conversion therapy."
As Axios reported,
Trump has set a record for the most circuit court judges confirmed in his first
year in office, with 12 confirmations—but on social media, critics suggested
the president is placing quantity—and cronyism—over quality in his nominating
process.
Petersen served on the FEC alongside White House Counsel Don McGahn, who now oversees the president's judicial nominations.
Petersen served on the FEC alongside White House Counsel Don McGahn, who now oversees the president's judicial nominations.