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October 31, 2019

"Not Qualified" Rating from Bar Association Draws Tears from Judicial Nominee
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President Trump's nominee to fill an open seat on the 9th U.S. Circuit
Court of Appeals - Nevada lawyer Lawrence Van Dyke - broke down in tears
Wednesday as lawmakers questioned him about the American Bar
Association's finding that he is "not qualified" to become a federal
judge.

In a scathing letter to leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the
ABA determined Van Dyke to be "arrogant, lazy, an ideologue, and lacking
in knowledge of the day-to-day practice including procedural rules." It
went on to say he "lacks humility, has an 'entitlement' temperament,
does not have an open mind, and does not always have a commitment to
being candid and truthful." The report also said Van Dyke would not
promise to be fair to members of the LGBTQ community. On Wednesday, Van
Dyke broke down in tears when asked about the findings at his Senate
confirmation hearing.

Lawrence Van Dyke: "No, I did not say that. It is a fundamental belief
of mine that all people are created in the image of God, and they should
all be treated with dignity and respect." 

Van Dyke has previously taken hard-line positions against gun control,
marriage equality and abortion.


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