Thread by @dani__battaglia

This morning, the Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a nominations hearing, that includes N.C. Solicitor General Ryan Park to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. #ncpol
charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-…

Sen. Thom Tillis is now speaking out against Park's nomination. He said he warned the White House that he has the votes to block Park's nomination and he hates that the White House put him and Park in this position. #ncpol

Sen. Tillis was allowed to play a video showing Park and his work under Attorney General Josh Stein and supporting Stein on partisan issues. #ncpol

I'm summarizing that, so I can listen in to what is being said right now, but will get into more details later on that.

Park is being sworn in now to testify. And he is being allowed to respond to Tillis' video. He began by thanking President Biden for the nomination and Sens. Ted Budd and Tillis for meeting with him about the nomination. #ncpol

Park said is putting into context what was seen in the video, including his statement that he was "progressive." But he said he meant "affirmative litigation to protect people." He said he's never led partisan litigation. He believes the clip was federal society event. #ncpol

He believes his next sentence, is that his boss makes the policy decision, and his job is to not make policy. He said he's never declined a request to represent an elected official and he's current representing state elected officials. #ncpol

He said he's always happy to defend the policies made by the Republican legislators. And he said he's actually defending the constiuality of Republican policies that Stein, his boss, voted against when he was in the general assembly. #ncpol

Chairman Dick Durbin said he's never seen a letter like the one he recieved from the law clerks of the U.S. Supreme Court vouching for him and said he has no question that Park is qualified for the position. #ncpol

A letter from Sen. Ted Budd opposing Park's nomination has been submitted and accepted. #ncpol

Sen. Tillis is saying that the White House denied all of Budd and Tillis' nominations for the 4th Circuit, and the WH came back with nominations that included Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, who ran against Sen. Budd, who he believes is extremely partisan #ncpol

Tillis is asking if Park was aware in May that Tillis had secured support to block his nomination, and he is also asking if he clearly communicated that to those in the room who traveled from NC. #ncpol

Park says he isn't sure, but he was aware Tillis made public comment. Tillis said he didn't make public comment. It was a White House communication. #ncpol

And Tillis is also telling him that this isn't personal, and it breaks his heart that his family is having to hear this but he will continue to do everything he can to block Park's nomination. #ncpol

Sen. John Kennedy just told Park he lied to the committee. And he asked if he's an activist. Park said that's not a fair characterization.

Kennedy is now going through several cases with Park accusing him of purposely losing cases he represented the state on. That includes a voting rights case, school voucher case and abortion. "You all dunked on your client."

Kennedy continues to say he had no role. Kennedy isn't letting him get a lot out. "I don't think you're mature enough to be a judge. I think you'll try to bend the law..."

#ncpol

Chairman Durbin is allowing Park to defend himself now. #ncpol

Sen. Jon Ossoff is telling Park he has not heard any substantive criticism of Park during the proceedings. He asked Park if he would apply the law without personal regard, to which Park agreed. #ncpol

Sen. Josh Hawley is now questioning Park for defending Gov. Roy Cooper's ban to close businesses during the pandemic and why he specifically said that Walmart and Lowe's needed to stay open but churches had to close. #ncpol

Park is saying he had 24 hours after a complaint was filed to appear before the court. They didn't appeal the court's decision. He never filed a brief.

Hawley told Park he will not have his vote. #ncpol

Chairman Durbin ended the Park's nomination hearing by saying that they need to be careful with the arguement that a lawyer takes on either the personality or points of view of his clients. He promised Park his support. #ncpol