WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke out against Trump nominees continuing to claim there are instances when a public official may defy a court order during today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting. Specifically, Durbin spoke about comments made by Stanley Woodward, Jr., nominated to be Associate Attorney General, during his nomination hearing.
Key Quotes:
“I think this is relatively new to this Committee—the line of questioning about the Executive Branch defying or following court orders.”
“I think the most direct statement… to the merits of the issue was from Senator Kennedy of Louisiana, who came in and made it clear in his mind at that time that it is unequivocally the responsibility of people to follow a court order. You can appeal it, as long as the law allows, and you can criticize it within the bounds of legal ethics, but it is a court order, and it needs to be followed. We’ve tried to ask that question consistently of all nominees, so that we understand they share Senator Kennedy’s belief and my belief.”
“During his confirmation hearing, Mr. Woodward was asked whether Executive Branch officials may lawfully defy a court order multiple times, by multiple Senators, giving different answers to each one of them.”
“He told Senator Kennedy he would not advise a client to refuse to follow a court order. Shortly after, [he told] Senator Schiff, ‘it depends.’”
“In answers to written questions to clarify this once and for all, Mr. Woodward did nothing to clarify his stance, writing that ‘generally’ he would advise a client to comply with court orders. ‘Generally’?”
“Failing to commit unequivocally to following federal court orders should disqualify any nominee before this Committee—whether he is a Republican or Democrat.”
“Mr. Woodward is nominated to be the number three official at the Justice Department… I think that answer should have been clear… there was an equivocation, which I cannot explain. It is inconsistent with what Senator Kennedy established as a standard and one that I share.”
Video of Durbin’s statement in Committee is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s statement in Committee is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s statement in Committee is available here for TV Stations.
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