Biden Judicial Nominee Charnelle Bjelkengren Stumped By Basic Constitution Questions

During her confirmation hearing, President Biden’s nominee for a federal judgeship in Washington state was unable to answer straightforward Constitutional questions from Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.).

“Tell me what Article V of the Constitution does,” Kennedy questioned Spokane County Superior Court Judge Charnelle Bjelkengren at Wednesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

“Article V isn’t coming to mind right now,” Bjelkengren replied.

“How about Article II?” Kennedy persisted.

“Neither is Article II,” Bjelkengren blanked, leaving Kennedy puzzled.

Bjelkengren was nominated by Biden to be a federal judge in the Eastern District of Washington.

Article V outlines the procedure for ratifying revisions to the Constitution, whereas Article II grants the president executive authority.

Kennedy next asked Bjelkengren, a law graduate from Gonzaga, to define “purposivism,” the process by which judges read statutes.

She was at a loss yet again, but she tried to explain.

ā€œIn my 12 years as an assistant attorney general, in my nine years as a judge, I was not faced with that precise question,ā€ Bjelkengren told Kennedy.

ā€œWe are the highest trial court in Washington state, so I’m frequently faced with issues that I’m not familiar with, and I thoroughly review the law, I research and apply the law to the facts presented to me.ā€

ā€œWell, you’re going to be faced with it if you’re confirmed, I can assure you of that,ā€ Kennedy told her.

Kennedy is well-known for questioning judicial candidates like a schoolmaster.

Matthew Petersen, President Donald Trump’s nominee to the federal bench, withdrew his name from consideration in 2017 when a video revealed him unable to answer questions presented by Kennedy.

ā€œJust because you’ve seen ā€˜My Cousin Vinny’ doesn’t qualify you to be a federal judge,ā€ the often-folksy Kennedy told Petersen at the time.

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