President Joe Bidenās nominee for U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington appeared to have a hard time answering a question about articles of the U.S. Constitution.
During her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said to Charnelle Bjelkengren, āTell me what Article V of the Constitution does.ā
She replied, āArticle V is not coming to mind at the moment.ā
Kennedy responded, āHow about Article II?ā
Bjelkengren said, āNeither is Article II.ā
He then asked her about āpurposivism.ā
She explained, āIn my 12 years as an assistant attorney general, in my nine years serving as a judge, I was not faced with that precise question.ā
Bjelkengren added, āWe are the highest trial court in Washington state, so Iām frequently faced with issues that Iām not familiar with, and I thoroughly review the law, I research, and apply the law to the facts presented to me.ā
Kennedy then told her, āWell, youāre going to be faced with it if youāre confirmed, I can assure you of that.ā
Watch the video below:
According to Fox News, Bjelkengren graduated from Mankato State University.
The judge went on to get her law degree in 2000 from Gonzaga University School of Law.
Article V of the Constitution explains the amendment process while Article II details the role of the executive branch.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) called on lawmakers to work together on Bidenās judicial picks.
āElections have consequences,ā Graham said.
He added, āLetās work together and see if we can get some nominations moving.ā
Durbin explained, āWe ask them to engage with the White House in good faith.ā
Other nominees included Orelia Eleta Merchant for the Eastern District of New York; and Michael Farbiarz and Robert Kirsch, both for the District of New Jersey, as Bloomberg reported.
