Greetings!
The Senate confirmation hearings occurred this week for Judge Amy Coney Barrett as Supreme Court justice. I appreciate the decorum that occurred and the opportunity for Judge Barrett to be presented not only to the committee but also to viewers across the country.
Judge Barrett was exceptional. It was an incredible display of legal knowledge, dignity, humility and composure under pressure. Anybody who watched should be impressed with Judge Barrett’s presentation for three long, taxing days.
Though I did not watch the entire hearing, what I did watch directly or through recaps was an education and an inspiration. I would go so far as to say if Judge Barrett does get confirmed for the Supreme Court, this could be President Trump’s greatest public achievement during the first term of his presidency (if not his only term).
Why am I so convinced? Well, mostly because I am that impressed with Judge Barrett. I realize the timing of her confirmation is controversial, but that does not have bearing on whether or not she is deserving to be confirmed. She most certainly is.
Judge Barrett is someone who needs to be a national role model. Her knowledge of the law is at superior level, and her approach to apply the law, especially to the country’s most pressing cases, is needed in the Supreme Court. Every person can learn great life standards from Judge Barrett.
Therefore, given the possibility of her time serving on the highest court having great longevity (Lord willing), Judge Barrett stands the greatest chance of being Trump’s most enduring decision from his current term.
For this week’s DHD, I share six memorable moments from the confirmation hearing
- The notepad
I don’t know if Texas Senator John Cornyn knew his question would have such an effect, but when he asked Barrett to display the blank notepad that sat in front of her, what resulted was the most popular “still-shot” or meme image from the hearing. It also demonstrated Barrett’s vast knowledge that she can recite numerous cases, as well as vast information of law, without any resource or even a crib sheet. Check it out:
- The super precedent question
When Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar asked Barrett “Is Roe a super precedent?” it was a powerful moment of education, regarding how to view historical SCOTUS cases. To me, it is even clearer why Roe v. Wade was a bad decision. Why? Well check out what Albert Mohler said:
“(Barrett) said that Roe, by the very fact we’re talking about it in 2020, is not a Supreme Court decision that has been considered settled by the American people. If it had been considered settled by the American people, it wouldn’t come up in 1975 in hearings for the Supreme Court, much less 2020. You might look at it this way. It actually takes a very bad decision by the Supreme Court to age so poorly that when you’re looking now at almost 50 years later, there is an absolute cultural consternation over the issue and over the decision.”
Here’s the exchange between the two “Amys”:
- Harris’ questioning debacle
This next one I’ve watched numerous times. California Senator and vice-president candidate Kamala Harris attempted to trap Barrett with a series of questions, trying to get Barrett to look foolish. First of all, and this is where I am so impressed with Barrett’s approach to legal matters, notice that she did not give just a simple yes or no answer. She displayed why she is confident in her answers, and she responded in such a quick and direct manner.
Secondly, she respectfully acknowledges what Harris was trying to do in Barrett’s answer to the final question, regarding climate change. She is not arrogant. She is confidently matter-of-fact and quickly dissects Harris’ poor manner of interrogation.
See for yourself:
- Durbin’s George Floyd video question
This is an excellent exchange. I appreciate how Illinois Senator Dick Durbin approached asking Barrett about the video of George Floyd being arrested, which led to his death.
Durbin was objective in how he worded his question of racism in America. And Barrett was willing to share a family experience when speaking about the video. This is one of the most inspiring segments of the entire hearing.
- Kennedy’s ‘butthead’ question
This could be the hardest and most uncomfortable question of the hearing. Louisiana Senator John Kennedy asked Barrett about a college professor accusing Barrett of being a “white colonist” in regards to her and her husband adopting two children from Haiti.
I wish Kennedy did not call the professor a “butthead.” The wording demonstrated a lack of professionalism and decorum, especially in such an important setting. It also allows critics to focus more on that word instead of the response Barrett gave, which was powerful and sobering.
Kennedy was respectful to ask the question without Barrett’s children present, and he did apologize for asking the question.
I could not find a video of just the question and response, but in the following lengthy video, scroll to the 12 minute mark to find this segment. Or if you have time, watch the exchange leading to the segment. It can be quite entertaining.
- Laura Wolk’s testimony
I won’t give any intro to the final video. I will say it is quite moving and speaks exceptionally well of Barrett’s compassion for Laura Wolk when Wolk was beginning law school.
