Democratic lawmakers were outraged when a Trump nominee refused to answer their questions during a confirmation hearing on Wednesday.
Adam Candeub, nominee to be assistant attorney general, and other judicial nominees testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill, where Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) had pressed the nominees to answer questions about the outcomes of the 2020 and 2016 elections.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) pushed Candeub to answer whether President Biden won the 2020 election, telling him to "be your own man," adding, "I don't need legalese, I don't need trickery."
"The Congress certified—" Candeub said.
As Candeub responded, Booker grew frustrated.
"There you go. Sir, stop! Can you please tell me yes or no, did President Biden win the 2020 election?" Booker asked.
"Why should we believe that you're going to stand up to this president?" Booker asked, then pushed the question again.
As Candeub started to answer, he repeated the same thing he had said to different lawmakers asking the same or similar questions throughout the hearing.
"The Congress certified—" Candeub said.
Booker then cut him off.
"Sir, you are showing cowardice," Booker responded. "And that's the question. Are you going to choose the truth or Trump? Law or his lies? Or are you going to choose the Constitution or cowardice?"
BOOKER: Let me make this easy. Be a man. Yes or no -- did Joe Biden win the 2020 election?
CANDEUB: ... the Congress certifie--
BOOKER: There you go. Stop! Can you please tell me yes or no, did President Biden win the 2020 election?
CANDEUB: The Congress certified--
BOOKER:… pic.twitter.com/doxcfgbPix
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 5, 2026