Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch took a beating from Democratic senators at his confirmation hearing on Tuesday, and Minnesota’s Al Franken held nothing back.
The former “Saturday Night Live” star hammered Gorsuch for claiming to be nonpartisan in his judicial decisions, calling the claim “absurd” during his questioning.
“I had a career in identifying absurdity, and I know it when I see it. And it makes me question your judgement,” said Franken, addressing one of Gorsuch’s dissents as a judge in which the nominee ruled against a trucking company employee who abandoned his vehicle after being left without assistance in the snow for hours.
“I don’t know what I would have done if I were in [the driver’s] shoes,” said Gorsuch. “I don’t blame him at all for doing what he did do. I thought a lot about this case. I totally empathize.”
“I would have done exactly what he did,” Franken responded. “And I think everyone here would have done exactly what he did. And I think it is an easy answer.”
Franken also asked Gorsuch if he believes Barack Obama’s nominee Merrick Garland was treated unfairly by the Republican-led Senate last year, a question Gorsuch declined to answer.
The exchange set off a heated debate among Twitter users. Some cheered Franken’s pointed questioning, while others criticized him for his harsh treatment of Gosruch. See some of the reactions below:
Sen. Al Franken: "I had a career in identifying absurdity. And this is absurd." https://t.co/kUHLxIZKkn pic.twitter.com/36P8JQO7YO
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 21, 2017
Al Franken might be the worst senator in the country.
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) March 21, 2017
Supreme Court nominee #NeilGorsuch has the patience of a saint. (Looking at you @alfranken )
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) March 21, 2017
i love al franken https://t.co/YKyg7kKr60
— ROSIE (@Rosie) March 22, 2017
One of these people tried to lecture the other on the Constitution. Guesses? pic.twitter.com/2MkUqDvPt5
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) March 21, 2017
Al Franken is savage! Hell yes. https://t.co/N63IFf0hSO
— Jez, hippo enthusiast. (@LittleJezzie) March 22, 2017
@alfranken – you are the bomb! #GorsuchHearing #Trumprussia https://t.co/HhOjNO8dB4
— B࿓o࿓b࿓b࿓i࿓ (@bobbib68) March 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/JMillhouse/status/844342862846332929
I've grown to love Al Franken in the Senate. Mic drop on Gorsuch today on snow trucker absurdity. https://t.co/VkozQPokma
— Joe Frohlinger (@joefrohlinger) March 22, 2017