'Here's Your Own Words!': Tom Cotton Refutes Nominee's Claims With Her Own Past Statements

At Tuesday's Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) questioned Julie Rikelman, nominee to be United States Circuit Judge for the First Circuit.
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[@KrisK565]

She is an activist. Deny her. The US would be better off without people like her in power positions.

[@irritatingtruth9121]

But that’s what the current regime wants. Extremist to assist getting their ideals into law. So the American ppl are forced to abide by.

[@minnieleichleiter759]

ABSOLUTELY agree

[@josephpowelliii9169]

Yes....deny her.

[@rkm5369]

Agree

[@otisspunkmeyer9339]

A no brainer

[@ponypint6635]

"BUSTED".... But truth, even when proof is presented...is more and more rarely victorious.🙄

[@hawkeyeted]

True. Dems will just change the dictionary.

[@fernandovargasmejia740]

We're having a verbal war against people punching us in the face and we're asking them to stop instead of punching back

[@jamessimpson422]

All these liberal demorats have to go,everything is going to be control by them,and the ones that keep putting people like her in are just as guilty

[@Bigmangh]

Very sad 😔

[@shelleyrenee4889]

Tom Cotton has blasted these nominees. All asking questions should call them out on their BS !

[@whycomes9562]

She is incredibly deceitful. She read it, and not "briefly" and was hoping it wouldn't come up. Are there no better democrat nominees? Is this seriously the best they have?

[@wmason1961]

No. There are no better democrats. They all suck.

[@duggysduggys5505]

Well when all actions are done through race/gender lense…. Well… yes…that is the best they got.

[@bryantsteury8910]

If she DID read it "briefly", why would she not start with the summary? That's where you would always start

[@Sentinel82]

Any moderate candidate gets chased out of their party 🤣

[@siruser23]

because they are intentionally trying to destroy America. how is this not abundantly clear by now? why are Americans in complete denial that we’ve been conquered and are being destroyed on all fronts?

[@anthonykobiec8569]

Senator thank you for the question that I will faithfully try to AVOID answering of my past record as I dip, dodge and claim amnesia to my own words and actions.

[@tracywilson2874]

LMAO

[@bradturner3780]

It just proves that leftists know perfectly well that their world view is a sick, deviant one. They never want to admit to what they have said, and what they really think, for fear of being seen for the psychopaths that they are.

[@tenofprime]

I wish they would drop the "thank you for that question [person]" junk. When you preface every answer with it the phrase not only loses all value but waists everyone's time. We could save a good 3-5 seconds per question by dropping it, that would add up to extra minutes to get deeper questions very fast.

[@zazzyz4558]

Well said, Anthony!

[@mygod4715]

let her pass... if idiot trump nominated and pass more idiots in scotus, she wont be that as bad...

[@MARTINA-gc3tq]

It is worrying that a judge is a proven liar.

[@ShafiqHusaynmusic]

Exactly! Insufficient as thou art to the maintenance of justice, how shalt thou arrive at the knowledge of truth?

[@cindimccullough1951]

There should never be a lifetime appointment for anyone in the government system.

[@reginaldlagrone5082]

Two points: 1) She doesn't have a good memory of events, but she wants to be a circuit judge Or 2) She's ashamed of what she wrote 15 years ago.

[@dougmiller5608]

Not ashamed, just trying to sneak the agenda in without acknowledging the agenda. 🤡💩

[@TheMrsMenes]

Piece of work. Please no more of these snowflakes. Thank you Sen Tom Cotton for pointing out her true value system.

[@lorip.917]

Ha!

[@mygod4715]

let her pass... if idiot trump nominated and pass more idiots in scotus, she wont be that as bad...

[@timmayeaux2743]

godlessness

[@sidali2590]

Tom cotton is the liar here not her

[@deborahd.7281]

I know it's what I said, but it's not what I meant., most Democratic nominees.

[@lindabradford9591]

Lol. So true

[@joeldrummer23]

Lol

[@19AKS58]

Yup, and I'll say whatever I need to, truthfully or not, so I can get a seat on that bench

[@drinksnapple8997]

She ought to be reported to her Bar Association for lying under oath before the US Congress.

[@timmayeaux2743]

gotta "D" behind she/it's name? can't touch this. move on

[@chrispoe8404]

“Senator, don’t look at what I said BEFORE, I’m trying to get a position of extreme authority and power, listen to what I’m saying NOW”. 😂😂😂. Respect my authorita!!

[@oldegrunt5735]

that has become so obvious that it's sickening....good sweet mouthed authoritarians in sheep's clothing for their pro forma confirmation

[@tsipher]

“In a society wherein we focus on history to drive our policies and ideologies, we shouldn’t look at my past but should look at everybody else’s past because that’s where the problem is”

[@joesteel3459]

“I wrote it 15 years ago” doesn’t really work when you very recently reviewed the article you wrote 15 years

[@tsipher]

Which also means she doesn’t consider the past relevant to the present. From what I can tell, she changes her stances very quickly when it comes to job changes. Often times, people don’t change their views switching from one job to another.

[@c.h.r.i.s2253]

Imagine someone in her courtroom answering direct questions like she does. I guarantee she would not allow it. She knows what she is doing, she knows she will set criminals free, unless they directly effect her, and she knows she will do all she can to protect criminals, rapists and murderers.

[@Sinsteel]

And every Democrat in the chamber plus Susan Collins knows it too, and so they'll all vote for her, and when crime gets too bad they'll slink away from the consequences of their decisions, as always.

[@ferdiecassel3697]

It's time for Americans to arm themselves by whatever means necessary to defend themselves and their families. The judicial system has become no more than a revolving door, and daily we see the hands of law enforcement being tied tighter, resulting in low morale and slower response times. I hope Ms. Rikelman is voted down. She's a danger to law-abiding citizens' well-being as is the whole Biden administration.

[@christopherhazell420]

🎯!!

[@AWESOME20527]

She keeps shaking her head, NO while saying she that she will follow/accept court decions that she doesn't agree with. 🙄

[@TwilightxKnight13]

A congressional review is not a court room and the rules are entirely different. Let's not pretend like both political parties don't engage in exactly the same "gotcha" questioning and claims of refusal to answer. Its nothing but a dog and pony show. They have all made up their minds long before the candidates appear before them.

[@benjaminrobelo6044]

She's trying to become a district court judge and she doesn't know whether violent crime has increased or not? Only policy makers can assess that according to her? That's scary.

[@wendymcclanahan8719]

"Senator, tku for the question, that I will Slither & Sidewind around, rather than Answer. But Senator, I believe I will make a perfect Judge!"

[@kenamaro3942]

Anyone can look up crime statistics..she chooses not to.

[@autodidact537]

It's incredible how such allegedly highly intelligent and supposed talented people have such terrible memories when it comes to their recollection of what they've written or said.

[@moonwork4378]

Amazing how many compromised people we have in the WH. Many appointed Soros no,indeed now, not elected. Can’t even stand to listen to this woman. She doesn’t deserve to be addressed as “Your Honor.”

[@nobodyreally5264]

Yep it's unbelievable how dodgy they are.

[@zzbudzz]

They remember exactly what they said or wrote! She is just deflecting because IF she could possibly could tell the truth she would not be nominated!

[@donbruce8234]

She says she will APPLY the supreme court standards, But we want to know HOW will she apply the standard? "Faithfully" is not a defining term.

[@irritatingtruth9121]

Faithfully is right though. Remember! These ppl don’t believe in God. Their “faith” is to their ideology. She’ll follow “faithfully”.

[@rolandboeing7477]

She talks the talk but she plays the victim , pure denial of her righteous tasks ! Under the Regime , she can deny so easily but in real life , she knows what she answers to deviate from the truth and the righteous justice ! She is a failure at her position , you're fired , even its a life career ! To deny in your position , you're fired like the best President Trump would say , tell ! 🤴👸

[@wendymcclanahan8719]

"Standard" is a very broad statement. In other words, She's intentionally 'Almost answering with no specifics, on purpose - to avoid Answering! Slithering, at it's supreme!

[@simplydanlrene4276]

You know the answer when they refuse to answer.

[@orowock1]

DNA is specific to one person. Fingerprints are specific to one person . If DNA is excluded from criminal identification then why not exclude fingerprints as well. Once again, the criminals are treated as victims.

[@snex000]

And why should the government be able to track us using these tools? Do governments never abuse them? Do governments never criminalize good behavior?

[@orowock1]

@@snex000 Track no. Identify criminals and criminal behavior yes.

[@toric225]

@@snex000 I don't know, once you've raped or murdered someone your DNA probably should be put in a database so law enforcement / the government can see if you're linked to other crimes.

[@snex000]

@@toric225 "Once you've raped or murdered someone..." No. Once the government has convinced 12 NPCs to vote that you raped or murdered someone. Or once the government has made it illegal to vote for opposing parties. Stop giving these people power just so you can feel a bit safer. It never works that way.

[@davidcooke8005]

@@orowock1 And what is to stop them from tracking?

[@jdgolf499]

I still find it amazing that Brandon managed to find the most incompetent, racist, incompetent, and anti-American people to nominate for important positions!

[@denisefarmer366]

I'd say all his nominees have been waiting in the wings since the Obama years, rehearsing their lies religiously.

[@richardjcranium]

That's the whole point...

[@susanbenedon945]

At least he’s got one talent

[@susanbenedon945]

He finds the most radical people to fill important positions that affect peoples lives

[@dylanmalek5846]

Amazing... hardly there are millions of Democrats to choose from witg the credentials you listed.

[@JohnSmith-ud9ex]

She would be brilliant if they were looking for a f**king blind parrot Pro Dodgeball player...

[@atlanteum]

In fact, they ARE.

[@easter_sunday]

I think Tom Cotton would make a Great majority/minority leader for the Senate once McConnell retires.

[@TheRealDohnJoe]

Mitch the bitch ain't going to retire anytime soon. We got a long run if we waiting for that...

[@fnusecurity5112]

Wish McConnell would retire. He is a Weak Leader. Never does what democrats do to us. Like that dog that barks at you inside the fence. But as soon as you get in is nothing but kissing on you.

[@yeost187]

I think he would, whether McConnell, retires or not. McConnel, doesn't get the leader position (majority or minority), just because he has tenure.

[@easter_sunday]

@@TheRealDohnJoe Don't be so sure of that. He's 80ish. Same age as Biden and Pelosi. Age is definitely going to be an issue for him the next time he's up for re-election.

[@kennieb5606]

MCCONNEL IS GETTING VOTED OUT

[@beauwatson6893]

"Senator, I apologize. I completely forgot my lies..."

[@davebrewer120]

If I acted like this, or said anything like she said, in a job interview, I would never get a call back.

[@davidhutchinson7888]

The places you're interviewing aren't split into two irreconcilable parties in which one party will hire you no matter what you say In the interview

[@davebrewer120]

@@davidhutchinson7888 that was kind of my point

[@user-ni9ny6ei6w]

THANK YOU TOM COTTON !!!, FOR CALLING THESE PEOPLE OUT !!!!!!!.

[@hartinone]

They are not people. They are democrats

[@HeatherSlytherin]

Memorize your lies lady. Shameful liars are rewarded.

[@jerrysanders9101]

She belongs in a prison sanitarium unit for life herself.

[@doughesson]

Samuel Clemens said that it's easier to keep track of one truth than it is to keep track of many lies.

[@remowilliams7569]

When a person lies, their memory is always faulty.

[@denisefarmer366]

Interesting how every nominee for every position has their lying evasive answers down pat without exception. 🙄

[@jackiechappell4415]

BAM!!!! GO GETEM TOM 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@Drew4078]

Tom Cotton is doing the work We The People sent him to do.

[@zzbudzz]

One of the few

[@doriangray4937]

Never miss an opportunity to call them out for their past words and writings. They clearly think they are going to slide through without question for these lifetime U.S. Circuit Judge positions. Thank you Senator Cotton.

[@coreymartin6486]

If a judge doesn't believe DNA testing should be done, than I refuse to believe she would act in the victims' best interests.

[@johnnybored8348]

Cotton uses their own words to absolutely destroy them....👊🏻😎🍻🦅

[@adamdye88]

Evil judges make evil decisions 🤯😵

[@melaniephillips6776]

I absolutely love Tom Cotton and we need more like him !

[@sidali2590]

No we don't he's a liar

[@kenculliton4212]

People like her don't change their way of thinking

[@jeffsedam9827]

This happens all the time. They refuse to answer questions.

[@EricMagidson]

I am not sure how you question a candidate who refuses to answer the questions asked. A real job interview would be over in minutes.

[@doughesson]

"Thanks for your time.We'll let you know."

[@gr82bcrazy1]

All of quid pro Joe’s nominations are a complete dumpster fire. Just like him, his family, and his administration.

[@eliasmangi7593]

Cumdumpsters

[@ljones98391]

It's just one big family. Many have been hanging out as appointed deep staters for decades.

[@garyfrey7930]

I would NOT put this woman in a court of any kind.

[@conniejohnson6760]

WOW I'm shocked you're not shown more in the media. You are so true and to the point to your questions and have proof! So Blessed to have you on our side. God Bless Tom Cotton! :)

[@southlakeowendrive]

When are we going to admit the fact that, in most cases, higher education actually lowers a person's cognitive abilities?

[@gailbarton3799]

My father use to say, "these people have been educated beyond their capacity" she fits the mold.

[@Grubnar]

Not answering a question, is in itself, an answer. Especially when it is a simple Yes or No question.

[@xfire7]

Amazing how unreliable their memory is was it reflects badly on them .

[@valyrian1124]

Don't worry guys Lindsey Graham will still confirm her just like he has EVERY OTHER OF BRANDON'S NOMINATIONS.

[@randybryan2516]

A person who commits a crime, gets convicted and goes to prison for years and years. Then, when he gets out, he commits another crime. Shouldn't the victim of the crime be able to hold the prison liable for failing to rehabilitate the criminal. After all, rehabilitation is written in every state constitution.

[@carolewhyte1943]

no, the victim should not be able to hold the prison liable. any other questions?

[@Birdsaregovspys6969]

You do realize you are arguing that the jail should be able to keep its residents until they are “rehabilitated” in their eyes right?

[@snex000]

Stop trying to talk sense into "conservatives." All they care about is punishing bad people. Doesn't matter if this punishment leads to those bad people becoming even worse in the future.

[@Luciavaneck]

If he gets out and does it again the consequences were not fitting the crime. There is none of this BS in Arab countries.

[@Birdsaregovspys6969]

​@@snex000 its conservative to assume the idea of locking someone up until they are rehabilitated in the eyes of a person being paid to house them is a bad idea? Judging by your comment you are one of those extreme blue no matter who lefties. Sad you cannot think for your self and instead hold extremists views about so many of your fellow Americans.

[@scottjohnson7780]

Senator Cotton is a senator that gives me hope and confidence that we can fix the mess that this country finds itself in after years of liberal leadership. He obviously prepared well for these hearings.

[@snex000]

Years of liberal leadership? Where have you been? Both major parties are completely worthless and do nothing but flush this country dowm the toilet for personal gain. I mean here you are arguing that we should get rid of the 4th amendment simply because a leftist judge argued against it some 20 years ago and is now embarrassed by it. How about you stand for the 4th amendment regardless of who argued what about it? It exists to protect the rights of citizens against the government.

[@joshglassman4160]

These are all traitors!!! Get rid of every last one of them!!!!!

[@arron0bryant874]

Cotton has just gone up a notch in my book.

[@hoyit]

Cotton’s ruthless. Love it.

[@roberthulen5162]

If only there were consequences for their actions. Maybe one day…

[@lobohambriento5044]

Wow wow and these ppl have the power in their hands

[@losttribe9107]

Are any of Biden's nominees honest? I mean really.

[@tigermike74]

Um no

[@josephpowelliii9169]

Where in the world do these idiots come from?! This was a complete waste of everyone's time. These are going to be judges?!?!?!

[@Less1leg2]

i have to be impressed even more of SCOTUS Barrett. she remembered everything exactly. and replied exactly

[@loban7968]

Good job Tom !

[@jamesrowell1174]

She doesn't care about the constitution or up holding the law's of America

[@TheRealDohnJoe]

She shld be De-nominated 😂

[@billcastro5129]

Why are we allowing any people to sit on any judicial body for a lifetime??? INSANITY

[@KickMoreAss]

BLOCK THE VOTE ON HER , AND THEN VOTE NO WHEN THE TIME COMES.

[@leonardmacaulay9833]

Amazing her face didn’t fall off changing the direction of her opinions like that.

[@pjduff7577]

She never took time to revise a previous article , but it seems she took plenty of time to write and revise an answer if questioned on that subject

[@patriciabrown5167]

She was NOT CUT OFF. Thank GOD for SEN. COTTON AND HIS HONESTY.

[@peterk2455]

A person that can not answer a question, without twisting and turning their words to escape being truthful, should never be a judge of anyone.

[@christopherc.9097]

It will be amazing also, when she gets confirmed how her memory will come back and she'll remember all the things from her past 15 years ago and everything

[@doughesson]

Just wait until she's writing her memoirs.

[@barbdwyer7001]

Long live Senator Tom Cotton!!😊

[@oldtimers6460]

The Court does not need another lenient judge, there's too many now .

[@bertdellaluna5612]

Go Senator Cotton! Please continue to expose these lying liberals.

[@genebrant9968]

Just another biased lying Democrat how else can you explain it they'll look you in the eye and say I didn't do it

[@infopackrat]

If I were asking her a yes or no answer and I knew she didn't want to say yes. I would just tell that without a no I will assume yes. The same in the reverse.

[@jharback]

Once they get the appointment they do whatever the hell they want.

[@kennethrutledge9222]

Thank you Senator cotton I just have to say that you are a superstar in these confirmation hearings it seems like most of the interrogators are little reluctant to ask them the serious questions about their past about their policies about how they feel about the law and it's usually a derogatory situation and I'm just thankful that you're there to put light on it and to bring it to the top thank you again sir

[@overlord8658]

hahaha

[@GillAgainsIsland12]

God, we need 100 Tom Cottons.

[@bryantvasquez8268]

I agree sir good job 🙏🏻,💯.

[@maja.k2105]

The best grill I have seen in a while 🔥

[@OmarLocke36]

I like tom cotton but I don't want dna samples taken by the police.

[@Jin-Ro]

So if your mum was raped, tortured and murdered and kidnaps another female family member, you wouldn't want the police to have the ability to quickly check a database and see if the offender is already on their system and be able to put out a description and target his known associates?

[@K0RP53]

Agreed

[@otisspunkmeyer9339]

Comitte a felony and you give it up otherwise no

[@louismontoya7437]

Don’t commit crimes.

[@steve5825]

Thank goodness for Sen. Kennedy, Cotton & Hawley.

[@katiemynette4285]

Heart of Kentucky. You sock it to 'em TOM COTTON! Katie.

[@psycholuigiman]

I wonder if anybody has ever gotten to this point and was like "Yeah, I said that back then and I was completely wrong. A naive, idealistic, lawyer bordering on activist. I have since changed my mind. . ." and so on.

[@jo-annfat-bricks2471]

Senator, I was drunk in that Article....

[@davidlemieux398]

From Louisiana, you have a great senator.

[@MrMooCow199]

The amount of lying and corruption is clear as day. Direct lies and intentional shrouding of the truth by a public servant should result in immediate disqualification.

[@marileedent8499]

Truth. There is no cure.

[@sublimemediocrity]

With lawyers in charge, there is no longer any right or wrong. What irritates me most is they never answer the question that was asked, and I hate that they get away with it. No more answering with partisan deflections. First offense, verbal warning. Second offense, written warning. Third offense $100 000 fine. Fourth offense, you lose your job. And on the other hand, enough with the "gotcha" strategy of digging up articles and papers from 15 years ago. This is all such a waste of time.

[@Bamblam69]

They should ask each candidate if they know the definition of obfuscate. If the candidate says yes then they should tell the candidate to stop doing it and answer the question. If the candidate says no then they should say "I can't believe that because you are certainly good at it".

[@freesanima]

The use of expressions like "like you folks" by a nominee when referring to Senate's members tells a lot about the nominee's mind set and the respect she/he profess toward such crucial institution.

[@danmartens8855]

End Lifetime Judiciary Appointments. Max Time should be a twenty-year sentence on every court.

[@whoogoesthere]

This is why TERM LIMITS should be a MUST! People to damn old to fully understand what's going on in a world like todays world. TERM LIMITS IS A MUST!

[@johnsprague4914]

Q: "Do we have a violent crime crisis" A: "I would leave that up to policy makers" What a weird answer. Reflexively dodging questions is a bad look. I'm sorry he didn't call her out on that.

[@stuartyablon7184]

Senator Cotton debating skills are very impressive.

[@mjm5081]

She's really good...at not answering questions.

[@AM-zv7qg]

They need to stop all that life position bs in the government

[@2ManyGuitars214]

Avoiding the question is typical fare at these hearings. Lying should be prosecuted.

[@DS-zg6ym]

Yes we do!

[@ap8409]

"Expectation of privacy of any prisoner..." --- are you kidding me? Prisoners should have NOT expectation of privacy.

[@garyanthony2440]

Caught in ONE lie should disqualify her from serving on any court. Anywhere.

[@sbcap3809]

I would like to see the nominee face during a question being asked. I believe that would give a clear idea of how much lying they must provide.

[@Trabunkle]

The same people that bring the past to accuse somebody of doing something wrong can't remember their own past! That's convenient! Nuff Said!

[@1LineAtATime]

Grateful for your persistence Mr. Cotton.