U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) speaks to the media during a joint press conference with U.S. Representative Jim Himes (D-CT), amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine May 28, 2026. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) confronted North Dakota U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Mack Traynor during his 8th Circuit Court of Appeals confirmation hearing, after Traynor repeatedly refused to directly answer who won the 2020 presidential election.
When Blumenthal asked the straightforward question, Traynor claimed it was political controversy and inappropriate for a sitting judge to address, citing Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's precedent.
Blumenthal pressed further, demanding Traynor state as fact who received more votes, but Traynor continued deflecting his answer.
Blumenthal accused Traynor of using a scripted response dictated by the White House, arguing he was protecting the President's election lie by refusing to acknowledge a simple fact.
Blumenthal said, "Everybody in this room knows the answer. You're unwilling to state it."
The exchange highlighted Trump-nominated judges' coordinated avoidance of confirming basic electoral facts during Senate confirmation hearings.
Watch the video below.