Amy Coney Barrett Forgot the Right to Protest
Just Like Trump
Ten years from now, the public will remember little from Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s three days of testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The unflappable judge demonstrated that she is knowledgeable and poised. Unlike her immediate predecessor to the Supreme Court, her embarrassment-free background made her a challenging target for those opposing her nomination. Other than the fundamental changes in Constitutional law she and five other conservative justices are likely to make, there isn’t much to criticize.
She wasn’t, however, perfect. One notable instance came with a seeming softball question from Nebraska Republican Ben Sasse. He asked her to name the “five freedoms” outlined in the first amendment to the Constitution. Barrett got four out of five, a passing mark, but not impressive for someone who taught constitutional law at Notre Dame’s law school.
Barrett started strong but stumbled at number five. Sasse was not trying to trip her up. He quickly moved on in his questioning.
Nonetheless, the incident is worth noting, if for no other reason than to remind us of the Five Freedoms’ importance.
