Matthew Spencer Peterson literally knew nothing when testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Twitter Quickly Took Note.
When you’ve had as many questionable nominees for federal positions as Donald Trump has had, it’s hard to rise head and shoulders above anyone else in terms of being severely unqualified. But US District Judge Nominee Matthew Spencer Peterson managed to do just that. After a video shared by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) of Peterson’s inability to answer Senator John Kennedy’s (R-LA) basic legal questions went viral, users on Twitter swiftly pointed out the ludicrous nature of Peterson even being nominated, let alone having the possibility of being confirmed to the federal bench.
MUST WATCH: Republican @SenJohnKennedy asks one of @realDonaldTrump’s US District Judge nominees basic questions of law & he can’t answer a single one. Hoo-boy. pic.twitter.com/fphQx2o1rc
— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) December 15, 2017
As Newsweek succinctly points out:
Petersen tells Kennedy that he has never tried a case to verdict as a lawyer, including criminal and civil cases, cases heard by a jury or cases in state or federal court. He also said he had not invested “on a day-to-day” basis in understanding the procedures of civil cases, which he would need to navigate as a federal judge and that trial attorneys do on a regular basis.
The Twitter Response Shellacked The Trump Pick
The legal community on Twitter couldn’t hide their disgust:
Judicial nominee Matthew Peterson … oh man. Never tried a case. Never taken a deposition by himself. Never argued a motion in court. Not familiar with the Daubert standard. Unfamiliar with what a Motion in Limine is. Just painful to watch. Couldn't he have studied at least?
— Michael Horner (@Miichaelghorner) December 15, 2017
As a Paralegal in CA I answered most of the legal questions as well. Motion in limine?! Really? That's terminology 1A in UCLA's Paralegal Program. That's, "go home & learn these concepts and know them tomorrow." Maybe #MatthewPeterson should attend & get a proper legal education!
— Lydia MarieM (@Lydia_MarieM) December 15, 2017
OHMYGOD. Matthew Spencer Peterson, nominated for US District Court for DC: 1) doesn’t know what a motion in limine is; 2) doesn’t know what Daubert is; & 3) has never taken a deposition. Last time he read Fed Rules of Evid was law school. #lawyertwitter can u believe this? https://t.co/YqwUia0JU5
— Empire Storm (@empirestatemind) December 15, 2017
Every person interested in #politics, #law, #civics, or #America should watch this. This is a stunning 5 minutes. Under no circumstance should Matthew Spencer Peterson be confirmed.
He doesn’t know the #Daubert standard or what a motion in limine is. #AppellateTwitter #lawyer https://t.co/dc2zKN2O3Z— Daniel M. Schwartz (@Schwartz_Daniel) December 15, 2017
The President nominated Matthew Spencer Peterson for a lifetime appointment as a federal judge. Spencer has never tried a case, argued a motion in court, or even taken a deposition on his own. He could not even define basic legal terms. Insanity. https://t.co/GcfhKI262d
— William Haney (@VenturaDefender) December 15, 2017
as a second year law student i have more trial experience than matthew spencer peterson. where's my judicial nomination @realDonaldTrump?
— Danielle (@danielle0223) December 15, 2017
Some users sarcastically said he was over-qualified in comparison to other Trump nominees:
The Matthew Spencer Peterson testimony is too damn funny. Funnier than Betsy Devos' confirmation hearing. So many unqualified ppl working for rural PA at the highest level. Very predictable.
"Elections have consequences"
— Ben Reynolds (@SmoothieMachete) December 15, 2017
OMG, this is pathetic. I know Trump has not brought in the "best and brightest", one of his many broken promises, but this is beyond the pale. And the GOP think it is perfectly OK to make Matthew Peterson a Federal Judge? totally unqualified!! But then there was Roy Moore. SAD https://t.co/bLYjV7H9eL
— Wade S. Church (@WadeSChurch) December 15, 2017
Matthew Spencer Peterson isn't qualified to be a lawyer let alone a judge. So I'd bet trump will try to make him a cabinet member instead
— Mordecai Ali O'Shea (@roarofawave) December 15, 2017
One quick-thinker immediately ran to Wikipedia (edit since removed):
Current Wikipedia description for Trump judicial nominee Matthew Spencer Peterson, whose inability to answer basic legal questions went viral last night: pic.twitter.com/xAmAMqgZTd
— Justin Fenton (@justin_fenton) December 15, 2017
Some noticed the irony of Trump’s mounting legal woes:
Can we make sure Matthew Spencer Peterson represents @realDonaldTrump when he inevitably goes on trial?
— Jack (@utejack) December 15, 2017
@realDonaldTrump should be afraid. He is in court more than any of us and he is more likely to end up in a pleading before the Hon. Matthew Spencer Peterson than any of us.
— Fred Wayne Baltz (@TheSashaFarce) December 15, 2017
And most people just called it like they saw it:
Matthew Spencer Peterson on his way home after that.
😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/Awf6uwTTbZ
— Frank Alvarez (@FrankAlvarezJr) December 15, 2017
What I wonder is why Matthew Peterson agreed to be there. He sure had the spotlight in his face. Where does Trump finds these folks?
— Robin Nelson (@RJNel61) December 15, 2017
So…I guess Matthew Spencer Peterson got his law degree from Trump University?
— Spikearoonie (@Spikearoonie) December 15, 2017
If you have 1 minute and 30 seconds, watch and listen to the video and the answers Matthew Peterson is providing to become a District judge.
Do you still think that POTUS45 is competent after nominating this guy? What if this man, Matthew Peterson, was… https://t.co/CXX7SmDGsZ
— Steve McKenney (@SteveMcKenney) December 15, 2017
More like the HUH? Matthew Spencer Peterson
— LibT.A.R.D.I.S.🇺🇸❄️ (@dinnerbeans) December 15, 2017
What in the holy hell is going on here?!? I sell granite for a living and I’m fairly certain I am as qualified to serve on the bench as the honorable Matthew Peterson.
— Sean Boutin (@Booty2126) December 15, 2017
The Senate has yet to vote down any Trump judicial nominees to this point. If ever there was a time for them to take their duty seriously, it would begin with the consideration of Matthew Spencer Peterson.
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Photo Credit: @SenWhitehouse on twitter; @roarofawave on twitter; @mrnick107 on twitter; @billybobsgumbo on twitter.
The post The Best People? Twitter Thrashes Trump’s Judicial Nominee for His Sheer, Shocking Incompetence appeared first on ReverbPress.
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