During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing last week, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) asked Jordan Pratt, one of President Trump's judicial nominees, about his connections to lawyers who attempted to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
00:00Senator Whitehouse, do you want to go ahead and go?
00:02Sure.
00:02Thanks, Chairman.
00:04If you don't mind, could I start my questioning in just a moment and make a point of order or an observation?
00:13I didn't want to interrupt the questioning of Mr. Bovee.
00:21The Chairman had signaled that he didn't want any further interruptions.
00:25But I did want to point out with respect to my concern that Mr. Bovee was failing.
00:33You don't have a point of order regarding this panel.
00:35No, the previous one.
00:36If you would just hold that until we're through this, and you're more than welcome to do it at the end of the hearing.
00:38Do you mind if I do it now?
00:39I'm here.
00:39It'll just take a minute.
00:40Go ahead and start your questioning so we can keep the record clean.
00:42So go ahead and ask your questions.
00:44Mr. Pratt, is it true that you are a fellow at Claremont Institute Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence, founded and run by John Eastman?
01:00I was a John Marshall Fellow.
01:02I believe that year is correct.
01:03I believe that's correct, Senator.
01:05Are you aware of Mr. Eastman's role in supplying Donald Trump with the false argument that Vice President Pence could overturn the 2020 election?
01:17I don't have personal knowledge of the situation you're describing.
01:21I'm aware generally of news reports and headlines, but I would say that my knowledge is very limited, Senator.
01:27Your knowledge on that is limited to what you've read in the public media?
01:30That's correct.
01:31You haven't had conversations with Eastman about it?
01:33But no, I've not had a conversation.
01:37Is it true that you are a senior counsel at First Liberty Institute, an institute overseen by Kelly Shackleford?
01:47Yes, that's right, Senator.
01:48Are you aware that in December of 2020, Kelly Shackleford signed a letter urging United States senators to try to overturn the 2020 election?
02:01So, I don't recall the content precisely of that letter, Senator, and I'm not prepared to speak about the characterization of that letter.
02:11I do know that he signed a letter in about that time frame concerning the general subject matter of the election.
02:17Have you discussed that letter with Mr. Shackleford?
02:21No, I have not.
02:22Do you know Ken Krakowski, who was also senior counsel at First Liberty?
02:30I believe I have met him twice.
02:33Are you aware of his role in helping Jeffrey Clark draft the letter that Clark wanted the Department of Justice to send to states, specifically Georgia, in an effort to overturn the 2020 election?
02:51I'm not, Senator.
02:54And have you had any conversation in those two meetings with Mr. Krakowski with him regarding that letter or that effort?
03:04I don't recall ever having a conversation with him about that, no.
03:07Do you know Jeffrey Clark, who wrote that letter?
03:11He worked at the Department of Justice during the same time frame that I was there.
03:16I believe that I had been in maybe a couple of meetings where maybe his staff was present, and I saw him in the hallway, but I don't know him well, Senator, no.
03:27And you did not discuss with him that letter?
03:32No, Senator.
03:34Okay.
03:35You were a fellow at the Leo 9 Forum, which I guess is not Leonard Leo and the number 9.
03:43It's as in like a lion.
03:46Do you know Leonard Leo?
03:50He's involved in that group.
03:52I have met Mr. Leo on a couple of occasions.
03:55It's been a while since I've seen him, Senator.
03:58Do you agree with President Trump's comments that he is a sleazebag who hates America?
04:04So, Senator, I understand that you're asking me to comment on posts that the president has made on social media.
04:10As a sitting judge and as a nominee to a federal vacancy, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the content of the president's social media feed.
04:20The canons preclude me from stating a position on matters of public and political controversy.
04:24Okay, let's turn to experience.
04:26How many cases have you personally tried to verdict or final judgment in court before a judge or jury?
04:33My judiciary questionnaire should list the cases, I believe, as lead counsel.
04:38That would be two, Senator.
04:40Have you ever drafted a complaint?
04:42I have, Senator, yes.
04:44Have you ever drafted an answer?
04:45Yes, I believe so.
04:49Maybe not in total, but certainly in part.
04:52Have you ever conducted pre-trial discovery?
04:56Depends on what you mean by conduct.
04:58I have been on teams that have been involved in discovery matters and have supervised trial teams,
05:03and I have argued in opposition to a motion to compel.
05:07Have you ever conducted a voir dire?
05:10I have not, Senator, no.
05:11Have you ever conducted a direct examination of a courtroom witness?
05:15So, Senator, during my time as an attorney, I have focused on appellate matters, you know, issues and appeals.
05:22So the answer would be no to that?
05:23I believe the answer is no, Senator.
05:25Have you ever conducted a cross-examination of a courtroom witness?
05:29Again, Senator, it's the same answer.
05:30My practice did not focus on matters.
05:32And have you ever argued a motion in limine?
05:36No, Senator, I don't believe that I have.
05:38Again, my practice is centered on issues and appeals.
05:40I have practiced at every level of the state and federal court system.
05:43I've handled matters in federal and state trial courts.
05:46Federal and state appellate courts and the U.S. and Florida Supreme Courts.
05:50My time has expired.
05:51Thank you, Senator Whitehouse.
05:53Senator Blumenthal.
05:56Thank you, Madam Chair.
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