GOP counsel Steve Castor (screengrab)
The Republican staffer charged with cross-examining witnesses in the televised House impeachment inquiry hearings was roundly blasted online for his incompetence in questioning Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent and Ambassador Bill Taylor.
Federalist Society contributor Steve Castor, who has worked for Republicans on the Intelligence Committee since 2005, was hoped to be a hero for Republicans.
“From Tom Davis to Darrell Issa to me to Jim Jordan to Trey Gowdy, he’s always had everybody’s confidence and we are an eclectic group of oversight chairs and ranking members,” former Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) told The Daily Beast. “And the fact that he’s had all of our confidence is saying something.”
But Castor did not appear to rise to the occasion.
Here's some of what people were saying about his questioning:
Steve Castor is not going to like the SNL version of himself.— Matthew Miller (@Matthew Miller)1573667899.0
Huge difference in skill framing questions between former prosecutor @danielsgoldman for the majority -- polished,… https://t.co/1uenZSGnVz— David Cay Johnston (@David Cay Johnston)1573668661.0
Is Steve Castor really a lawyer? There's just no way.— kevinbiegel (@kevinbiegel)1573667851.0
Did Steve Castor get his law degree from Trump University? The Republicans aren’t sending their best— Roland Scahill (@Roland Scahill)1573668071.0
Steve Castor is an inept questioner but in fairness there’s nothing he could say that would shake the ironclad proo… https://t.co/qYc8ObBjz2— Max Boot (@Max Boot)1573668547.0
So far Steve Castor is...not doing so well— Tommy Vietor (@Tommy Vietor)1573667927.0
Steve Castor has worked under Tom Davis, Darrell Issa, Jason Chaffetz, Jim Jordan, and Trey Gowdy. Any questions?— Matt Murphy (@Matt Murphy)1573668549.0
Y’all be nice to Steve Castor. It’s clearly his first day.— Adam Parkhomenko (@Adam Parkhomenko)1573668413.0
@ZerlinaMaxwell I am not a lawyer but Steve Castor is no Daniel Goldman.— Ilovemylife (@Ilovemylife)1573668040.0
Did Steve Castor eat some really bad chili for lunch or does he always look like that?— Tami Burages (@Tami Burages)1573668282.0
Whatever the GOP counsel is doing, it's not working. I don't undertand where he's going.— Ari Fleischer (@Ari Fleischer)1573668169.0
I don’t believe Mr. Castor is a former prosecutor. Does it show?— Preet Bharara (@Preet Bharara)1573668776.0
It's nice that we can all watch Steve Castor get a televised explanation of how diplomacy is supposed to work from career diplomats.— Lily Adams (@Lily Adams)1573668123.0
Steve Castor #ImpeachmentHearings https://t.co/pNZRY036YR— Ryan Allen (@Ryan Allen)1573667975.0
I'm not sure if Steve Castor is a bad lawyer or if he was just given a bad assignment, but Daniel Goldman has been… https://t.co/MCVdpyjMXu— Keith Boykin (@Keith Boykin)1573668006.0
Who recommended Steve Castor as GOP Oversight Committee Chief Counsel, @RepAdamSchiff? This guy is comically bad a… https://t.co/VmZp7RqpPa— Fernand R. Amandi (@Fernand R. Amandi)1573668251.0
Holy shit Steve Castor is almost as stupid as his president #ImpeachmentHearings— Velodor (@Velodor)1573667999.0
Steve Castor, employing the tried and true "look over there, not over here," strategy. #ImpeachmentHearings— Jessica Levinson (@Jessica Levinson)1573669129.0
Steve Castor looks like he's giving SNL a lot to go on.— Schooley (@Schooley)1573667705.0
OK, @GOP, Steve Castor is laughably bad. Seriously, you should shut him down. I'm honestly trying to help you out here.— Fresh Brew (@Fresh Brew)1573668131.0
Well, Republican Steve Castor seems like he spent at least a good 5 minutes prepping for this interview of Ambassador Taylor….— ByeDon 👋 (@ByeDon 👋)1573668007.0
Someone find a lifeguard. Steve Castor is drowning out there. #ImpeachmentHearings— St. Nick Jack Pappas (@St. Nick Jack Pappas)1573668064.0
Republican interrogator Steve Castor is doing a terrible job here. Seems unaware of the facts of the case. #ImpeachmentHearings— Richard Hine (@Richard Hine)1573668280.0
Steve Castor’s strategy is not to elicit any actual supporting testimony from Kent or Taylor but rather to testify… https://t.co/eehxgOMYxS— Daniel W. Drezner (@Daniel W. Drezner)1573668992.0
Steve Castor, GOP Chief Counsel, right now. #ImpeachmentHearings https://t.co/FjXstR8fgt— Jordan Coburn (@Jordan Coburn)1573668332.0
The guy sitting behind Steve Castor is all of us right now. #ImpeachmentHearings https://t.co/hoipuJCUEG— Zack Hunt (@Zack Hunt)1573669068.0
Can someone call my girl Steve Castor a Lyft? #ImpeachmentHearings https://t.co/kZbciPnrur— Randy Rainbow (@Randy Rainbow)1573668142.0
Steve Castor is doing so badly which means he is going to get a senior position in the Trump White House before days end— Roland Scahill (@Roland Scahill)1573668908.0
@sahilkapur Wonder if Castor will still have a job by 2pm.— Rich Davis (@Rich Davis)1573669994.0
