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Total chaos erupting in the United States Senate as some of Donald Trump's top nominations were cross examined by Democratic senators. And they all fell apart under oath on live tv. We're talking about some of Donald Trump's top picks to fill vacant judicial positions at the highest level of our circuit courts. And we're talking about Donald Trump's pick to fill the Department of Justice Antitrust Division lead prosecutorial role. Let me show you what went down in the States Senate where you had Democratic Senator Schiff cross examining Donald Trump's pick to lead the DOJ Antitrust Division. His name is Can Do. And Adam Schiff cross examined this guy and exposed what a MAGA bootlicker and what a pathetic individual this can do guy is who's seeking to lead the Department of Justice Antitrust Division. Here, play this clip.
Senator Adam Schiff
And Mr. Kandeb, in 2016, when Donald Trump ran against Hillary Clinton, who won that election?
Nominee Can Do
Donald Trump was certified as winner by the United States Congress.
Senator Adam Schiff
Did he in fact win?
Nominee Can Do
He was certified as winner.
Senator Adam Schiff
Did he in fact win?
Nominee Can Do
He was certified as winner.
Senator Adam Schiff
You have some doubt about whether he won?
Nominee Can Do
Well, under a constitutional structure, it is the states that have.
Senator Adam Schiff
My question is, do you have some doubt about the outcome?
Nominee Can Do
I have no doubt that the US Congress certified Donald Trump.
Senator Adam Schiff
No, I don't ask you that question. Do you have any doubt that Donald Trump won the election?
Nominee Can Do
I have no doubt that under our constitutional structure.
Senator Adam Schiff
Well, that's, that's really not my question. In 2020, who won the election
Senator Dick Durbin
the
Nominee Can Do
United States Congress certified?
Senator Adam Schiff
Why is it difficult for you to answer a simple, factual question about who won presidential elections? When did it become so difficult to answer such a simple question? And how can we expect you to rely on the facts when you're evaluating a case? Mr. Cook, when you're evaluating a merger, Mr. Kandev, how do we expect. How can we expect you to rely on the facts when you have such difficulty stating the obvious?
Host
Now, one by one, the judicial nominees of Donald Trump squirmed as they were cross examined by Democratic Senator Schiff, who tied them in knots, as Aaron Rupert puts it, by asking them, so who won the 2008 election? Was it Obama or was it McCain? All right, now let's talk about the 2016 election. Did Donald Trump win or did Hillary Clinton win? And the judicial nominees. And we're talking about some people who are actually current district court judges. I mean, that guy Cronin is a district court judge. Cook is a district court judge. They couldn't answer the most basic questions. Watch Democratic Senator Schiff, tie these judicial nominee incompetent magascopants into pretzels here.
Senator Adam Schiff
Play this clip, Mr. Cook. In 2008, Barack Obama ran against John McCain, who won that election.
Judge Cook
I believe President Obama was sworn into oath, sworn into office, so I'm certain he won.
Senator Adam Schiff
Senator. And John McCain lost that election?
Judge Cook
Yes, Senator.
Senator Adam Schiff
Four years later, Barack Obama ran against Mitt Romney, who won that election.
Judge Cook
President Obama was sworn into into office, so I'm certain he was elected as a matter of law. Senator.
Senator Adam Schiff
And did Romney lose the election?
Judge Cook
That's the natural, logical converse of that, yes.
Senator Adam Schiff
In 2016, Donald Trump ran against Hillary Clinton, who won that election.
Judge Cook
He was sworn into office. So as a matter of law, he was elected to that office.
Senator Dick Durbin
Senator.
Senator Adam Schiff
So Donald Trump won that election.
Judge Cook
That would be the natural assumption, yes.
Senator Adam Schiff
Senator, isn't it really an assumption you have to make? Did Donald Trump defeat Hillary Clinton in the Electoral College?
Judge Cook
He did, yes.
Senator Adam Schiff
Senator, you have some uncertainty about whether he won that election?
Judge Cook
No, I'm trying to be precise about what I'm saying. Yes, he won in the Electoral College because.
Senator Adam Schiff
And Joe, Joe Biden in 20. Well, in the 2020 election, who won between Donald Trump and Joe Biden?
Judge Cook
Well, Joe Biden was certified by joint session of Congress and so as a matter of law, he was the elected president.
Senator Adam Schiff
As a matter of fact, who won that election?
Judge Cook
He was. We, we implement the 12th amendment and under that I don't. He was elected.
Senator Adam Schiff
As a matter of fact, who won that election? Just as a simple matter of fact, somebody asked you out on the street who won the election in 2020, what would your answer be? Who won?
Judge Cook
I lost. I would say as a matter of law, he was elected Senator.
Senator Adam Schiff
And as a matter of fact, that you're somehow separating the law and facts. As a matter of actual fact, who won the election in 2020, it's a
Judge Cook
fact that the Electoral College vote was more for Joe Biden.
Senator Adam Schiff
You seem to have real difficulty with that question. In 2024, Donald Trump ran against Kamala Harris, who won that election.
Judge Cook
President Trump had more Electoral College votes and so the joint session Congress certified him as the winner.
Senator Adam Schiff
So Donald Trump won that election.
Judge Cook
As a matter of law, he was
Senator Adam Schiff
elected senator and Kamala Harris lost that election.
Judge Cook
That was the converse.
Host
Then you had Democratic Senator Cory Booker cross examining again. That guy can do. Here, play this clip.
Senator Cory Booker
So let me make this easy. Show us your courage. Show us your independence. Be a man. Be your own man right now and stand up and answer a question, yes or no. A simple yes or no question. That shows right now, all of America, that you're your own man. I don't need legalese. I don't need trickery. Yes or no, did Joe Biden win the 2020 presidential election? Yes or no?
Nominee Can Do
The United States Congress.
Senator Cory Booker
There you go, sir. Stop. Federal court said he did. President's own attorney general said yes. President's own cybersecurity director said yes. Republicans all over this country said yes. And right now, you're not showing me. You can't even acknowledge a fact that's been established by the courts, the president's own Attorney General, by his own election security officials. Why should we believe that you're going to stand up to this president when billions of dollars are at stake and the fate of mergers are in your hands? This is the pivotal question. Can you please tell me a yes or no answer? Tell me. No. I can't give you a yes or no answer if that's your answer. Yes or no, did President Biden win the 2020 elections? The United States Congress Certified, sir, you are showing cowardice. And that's the question. Are you going to choose the truth or Trump law or his lies? Are you going to choose the Constitution or cowardice?
Host
More here from Democratic Senator Schiff. Cross examining. Can do. Play this clip.
Senator Adam Schiff
Mr. Kandeb, when you met with my staff yesterday, you said you stood by your previous comments, including op ed you wrote for white nationalist websites like vdare. In one of those, in an article titled Immigration and three Twitchy Jewish Nerves, you stated, quote, muslim immigrants and their children seem prone not only to terrorism, but to cultural separatism. Do stand by that statement.
Nominee Can Do
Senator, I wrote that article in defense of Donald Trump's travel ban, which I thought was.
Senator Adam Schiff
That's not my question. My question is you told my staff you stood by your previous statements. Do you stand by that one?
Nominee Can Do
I stand by those articles. They were defenses against terrorism.
Senator Adam Schiff
And so you, you stand by that statement. So what do you mean that Muslim immigrants and their children are prone to terrorism?
Nominee Can Do
I wrote those articles.
Senator Adam Schiff
I'm not asking you. You've already said you stand by that statement. So what do you mean by that?
Nominee Can Do
I'm trying to explain. I wrote those articles in defense of Donald Trump's travel ban, which is to protect us against terrorism. And I thought that terrorism is. Continues to be a tremendous threat to all Americans.
Senator Adam Schiff
And you think that Muslim immigrants and their children are somehow prone to terrorism?
Nominee Can Do
I wrote in support of the travel ban.
Senator Adam Schiff
I'm aware of why you wrote the article. My question is, and I would like an answer. Do you stand by your statement that Muslim immigrants and their children seem prone to terrorism?
Nominee Can Do
I stand by the article I wrote the travel ban was being.
Senator Adam Schiff
Well then that's. That's all I need to know. I yield back.
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Host
Now watch what happens where you have Democratic Senator Blumenthal cross examining Judge Cronin. Now Judge Cronin is a sitting federal judge. He already has lifetime tenure. When you're appointed as an Article 3 judge, you have lifetime tenure. You can't be fired unless you are impeached and convicted. Okay, um, so he's a district court judge. He's now been appointed to a circuit court position. He's been elevated. And just watch how pathetic this judge is. This guy's a sitting judge. Here, play the this clip.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
Judge Cronin, you're already on the district court. Who won the 2020 election?
Judge Cronin
Senator, under the Constitutional system, and in particular the 12th Amendment, Joseph Biden received the majority of electoral college vote and
Senator Richard Blumenthal
you really have nothing to lose. You're on the court with a lifetime appointment and yet you're unwilling to state the simple fact that Joe Biden won the 2020 election. Election.
Judge Cronin
I do have life tenure, Senator. I'm trying to answer your question as truthfully and accurately as I can,
Senator Richard Blumenthal
Mr. Mannion. Who won the 2020 election?
Judge Cook
Senator? I agree, I agree with the substance of my co panelists.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
Mr. Can do. Who won the 2020 election? Let's see if you can do better.
Nominee Can Do
I agree with my panelists.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
You agree with your, the fellow panelists.
Nominee Can Do
The United States Congress certified Joseph Biden.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
What kind of enforcer are you going to be if you can't tell the truth to a committee of Congress? And don't tell me that you can't answer because you're general counsel of the fcc.
Nominee Can Do
The United States Congress certified Joseph Biden as president.
Host
And then Senator Blumenthal grilled Judge Cook again, another sitting district court judge. How terrifying is it that this guy is actually a federal judge and he's seeking an appointment to become a higher level federal judge at the circuit court level? Here, play this clip.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
Judge Cook, was the capitol attacked on January 6, 2021?
Judge Cook
Yes. There was a lot of violence and vandalism at the Capitol and attacks on law enforcement. So I hesitate to use the word attack just because it would be something that would apply to everybody.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
And I so you're unwilling to say what Justice Coney Barrett has said, what Judge Kelly has said, Judge Lamberth has said, federal district court judges and a Supreme Court justice that the Capitol was attacked. You're unwilling to say that?
Judge Cook
I actually don't think I quite finished my answer, Senator. I don't have a problem with saying some of those people attacked the Capitol and there was vandalism and there was violence and they attack law enforcement. And I, I denounce all of that. So, yes, Senator, I don't, I don't think we're, I don't think we're disagreeing.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
Judge Cronin, what's your answer to that question?
Judge Cronin
Senator from Washington, videos law enforcement officers were assaulted. From what I saw the capital, that was trespassed. It was vandalism. So I would stand by what I observed, which I think made clear that there were assaults on law enforcement officers.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
Mr. Man
Judge Cook
Senator, I agree that there was certainly violence against law enforcement officers, violence against the Capitol, and I detest all such violence.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
Mr. Can do.
Nominee Can Do
I agree with my fellow panelists. It was a terrible day for America. There was violence against law enforcement, which I deplore. There's vandalism. It was a terrible day.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
The violence against those brave Capitol police officers was because there was an attack on the Capitol and an attempt to stop the lawful transfer of power. For you to refuse to say there was an attack on the Capitol simply because Donald Trump characterizes it as a, quote, innocent journey is disrespectful to those police officers. It is also fundamentally disqualifying for a federal district judge or anyone else seeking a position of trust. It is chilling that people who have been nominated for this extraordinary position of responsibility would be unwilling to acknowledge the truth.
Host
Oh, man. Then you had that squirming can do again. Who's seeking to lead the Department of Justice Antitrust Division? Watch this. It's absolutely brutal. Here, play this clip.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
Mr. Can Do. Who won the 2020 election? Let's see if you can do better.
Nominee Can Do
I agree with my panelists.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
You agree with your.
Nominee Can Do
The fellow panelists. The United States Congress certified Joseph Biden.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
What kind of enforcer are you going to be if you can't tell the truth to a committee of Congress? And don't tell me that you can't answer because you're general Counsel of the FCC.
Nominee Can Do
The United States Congress certified Joseph Biden as President.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
Mr. Judge Cook.
Host
More over here from Senator Blumenthal. Cross examining Judge Cook. Watch for yourself. Let's play it.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
Who won the 2020 election?
Judge Mannion
2020. Joseph Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 election by a joint session of Congress.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
He was declared the winner?
Judge Mannion
Yes.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
The people of America declared him the winner. Correct.
Judge Mannion
There was an election and it proceeded through the normal procedures outlined in the Constitution, including.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
And he won the popular vote. Correct.
Judge Mannion
As a judicial nominee, it would be inappropriate to comment on a disputed political.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
I'm asking you. As a matter of fact, everybody in America knows the answer to this question. Why are you refusing to give it before this panel under oath? He won the popular vote in the 2020 election. Correct?
Judge Mannion
Senator, as this is a disputed political matter and there is ongoing litigation and as a judicial nominee, I'm not.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
Who won the. Who won the Electoral College in the 2020 election?
Judge Mannion
A joint session of Congress determined that Joseph Biden won the Electoral College.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
Did Donald Trump lose the 2020 election?
Judge Mannion
A joint session of Congress determined that President Trump did not win the Electoral College.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
Was the capitol attacked on January 6?
Judge Mannion
Senator? There was violence and vandalism on that day, including with regard to law enforcement officers. I think all of that was inappropriate
Senator Richard Blumenthal
and wrong and illegal.
Judge Mannion
Certainly there were court findings of.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
There were convictions.
Judge Mannion
That's correct.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
And people were convicted of attacking the Capitol. Correct.
Judge Mannion
I don't know if Any court used the phrase attacking the Capitol. I think the Supreme Court.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
Wouldn't you use it to describe what happened on that day? Everybody in America has seen the videos. Everybody in America knows that Capitol Police were injured, some died. Wasn't it an attack on the Capitol?
Judge Mannion
Senator, it was an attack on a number of individuals and that was wrong and inappropriate.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
Why are you unwilling to say honestly and candidly for this committee that the Capitol was attacked?
Judge Mannion
Well, Senator, as a judicial nominee, I'm here to talk about questions of law, not fact. I know the United States Supreme Court has.
Senator Richard Blumenthal
So you're here to talk about what we ask you to talk about. And questions of fact are absolutely to the point when we are asking whether you are willing to state facts honestly and candidly because it goes to your integrity and independence.
Host
And then here you had Senator Dick Durbin cross examining can do as well. Let's play this clip.
Senator Dick Durbin
Three years ago in a 2023 interview with a right wing Hungarian news magazine in which you failed initially to disclose to the committee, you said, and I quote, the ideological bias of universities, the extensive harassment laws that regulate the workplace and the gradual spread of self censorship are leading to a society in the United States that is intellectually more comfortable, duller, more deceitful and more timid. Timid was your word than in previous decades. So let's clarify your position. Do you oppose laws that protect against harassment in the workplace?
Nominee Can Do
Absolutely not.
Senator Dick Durbin
Senator, why did you say that any workplace harassment laws are leading to a society that is, quote, more comfortable, duller, more deceitful and more timid?
Nominee Can Do
I have spent much of my career as an academic and for me the most important part about being an academic is the ability to exchange ideas freely. Sometimes I think we've seen in campuses situations in which over overenthusiastic bureaucrats and enforcers can chill free speech. And I think that was my impetus. I want to protect free speech.
Senator Dick Durbin
Do you stand by your words?
Nominee Can Do
Which word, Senator?
Senator Dick Durbin
Do you want me to read it a third time? The harassment laws that regulate the workplace make the United States more comfortable, duller, more deceitful and more timid than in previous decades.
Nominee Can Do
I stand by my words because I believe in free speech.
Senator Dick Durbin
Thank you Madam Chair.
Host
Man, that can do. Guy is a dangerous weird dude, huh? A danger. Look at that. Guy was a dangerous weirdo in my opinion. In any event, hit subscribe. Let's get to 7 million subscribers. We appreciate you for watching. Let me know what you think in the comments. I want to read your comments on this one. I read your comments on everyone, but send me your comments on this one. Also.
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Senator Dick Durbin
Let's do this, Sam.
Air Date: August 6, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Key Theme: Exposing the distressing evasiveness and extremism of Trump’s latest judicial and DOJ nominees during their explosive Senate confirmation hearings.
This episode delivers a scathing and often darkly comedic breakdown of a recent U.S. Senate confirmation hearing, where nominees put forth by Donald Trump for critical judicial and Department of Justice positions crumble under basic scrutiny. The Meiselas brothers spotlight how Democratic Senators—particularly Adam Schiff, Cory Booker, and Richard Blumenthal—pressed these nominees on factual questions about U.S. elections, the January 6 attack, and previous extreme statements, revealing disturbing levels of evasiveness and bias.
The MeidasTouch Podcast uses this episode to lay bare the existential crisis in America’s judiciary and justice system, as Trump-era nominees display a refusal to stand by obvious truths or disavow bigotry. The hosts drive home the danger of this alarming “cowardice” and the threat it poses to democracy and the rule of law—sprinkled with biting comedy and resolute calls for civic vigilance.
Useful for listeners who missed the episode: