Lawrence VanDyke, one of President Donald Trump’s judicial nominees, burst into tears during his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday when lawmakers brought up the American Bar Association’s blistering evaluation of his qualifications.
The ABA wrote that a “substantial majority” of its members deemed VanDyke “Not Qualified” to serve on the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, citing interviewees who had described VanDyke as “arrogant, lazy, an ideologue, and lacking in knowledge of the day-today practice including procedural rules.”
“There was a theme that the nominee lacks humility, has an ‘entitlement’ temperament, does not have an open mind, and does not always have a commitment to being candid and truthful,” the organization wrote.
But it was the ABA’s observation that VanDyke “would not say affirmatively that he would be fair to any litigant before him, notably members of the LGBTQ community” that led to the nominee’s breakdown.
“Did you say you wouldn’t be fair to members of the LGBT community?” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) asked the nominee.
“Sir, I….that was…that was the part of the letter..” VanDyke stuttered before he began to cry.
“I apologize,” he said, voice wobbling. “No, I did not say that.”
“It is a fundamental belief of mine that all people are created in the image of God and they should all be treated with dignity and respect,” he continued.
However, VanDyke’s legal career has consisted of arguing against same-sex marriage and other LGBTQ rights in the name of “religious liberty.”
Watch the waterworks below:
Read the ABA’s letter below:
Uh oh…The Dictator-Envious-In-Chief will not like your crying even if he is a BRATTY GARGATUAN Cry Baby himself!
This cringe-worthy nominee doesn’t appear to have the votes to be confirmed.
Moscow Mitch is going to have to do some industrial-strength arm-twisting to get him on the bench.
Here’s the good news. He doesn’t like beer. (Nor, does it appear, does he like GLBTQ folk nor does he like showing up for work – I don’t regard the latter as a moral failing but it does interfere with being a judge.)
See, this is the problem with letting men be judges – they’re just too emotional.
I dunno if it’s hormones or what, but they just can’t handle the rough and tumble of the work world.
And would it hurt them to smile a little more?
Maybe dress up once in a while?