Tom Cotton tries to hold back laughter as Sen. Kennedy destroys pronoun-pushing judge

As Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer tries to push through as many of President Joe Biden’s judicial appointments as possible in the last days of his term, some are going better than others.

Judge Mustafa Kasubhai was getting grilled by Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) when Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) found the line of questioning amusing.

Watch:

“Judge Kasubhai, I’m looking at an order you issued as a magistrate judge here requiring the use of pronouns in your court,” Kennedy began, setting the stage. “Did you require the use of pronouns, the declaration of one’s pronouns in your court?”

“Senator, that may be referring to, perhaps, a trial management order or scheduling order of some kind,” Kasubhai responded.

“No it’s a statement, you issued it,” Kennedy clarified.

“Oh okay, it’s an invitation for people to identify their pronouns or their honorifics,” the judge attempted to clarify.

“I’m looking at your requirement that you issued to all people in your court. You say quote ‘When you introduce yourself in a meeting, you should say my name is Judge [Blank] and my pronouns are [Blank].’ Is that right?” Kennedy continued.

“Senator, those were not requirements or rules, those were suggestions, and invitations for people,” the judge explained.

“They were suggestions,” the senator repeated. “And you also, in your directive, you say quote ‘I’d like counsel to introduce themselves giving your full name and your honorific, such as Ms., Mx., or Mr.,’ not Mrs., ‘and if your client will be making an appearance, I ask you to please introduce them to the court by giving me their full name and honorific, such as Ms., Mx., or Mr.'”

Near the end of the clip, Cotton can be seen stifling his laughter and attempting to keep his composure, which X users noticed quickly.

Sierra Marlee

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