President Trump’s nominee to fill an open seat on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Nevada lawyer Lawrence VanDyke, broke down in tears Wednesday as lawmakers questioned him about the American Bar Association’s finding that he is “not qualified” to become a federal judge.
In a scathing letter to leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the ABA determined VanDyke to be “arrogant, lazy, an ideologue, and lacking in knowledge of the day-to-day practice including procedural rules.” It went on to say he “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 report also said VanDyke would not promise to be fair to members of the LGBTQ community. On Wednesday, VanDyke broke down in tears when asked about the findings at his Senate confirmation hearing.
Lawrence VanDyke: “No, I did not say that. I do not believe 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.”
VanDyke has previously taken hard-line positions against gun control, marriage equality and abortion.