WATCH: Asked About LGBT Rights and Same-Sex Marriage SCOTUS Nominee Neil Gorsuch Appears Indignant

‘And I’m Telling You I Don’t’

An appeals court judge for nearly 11 years, Neil Gorsuch isn’t used to being asked questions for hours at a time. No doubt being grilled by well-prepared Senators as the cameras send your every movement to possibly millions watching can be unnerving. But Judge Gorsuch, at the half-way mark of his second day appears to be showing signs of hostility, anger, and an overall indignation during his Supreme Court hearings.

Asked by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a lawmaker since 1983, about his relationship with his homophobic mentor at Oxford, when he wrote a dissertation arguing against same-sex marriage, abortion, and assisted suicide, Gorsuch grew indignant.

“What about LGBTQ individuals?” Sen. Durbin asked. 

“What about them?” Gorsuch asked, seemingly frustrated or angry. “They’re people,” Gorsuch replied, shaking his head.

“Of course,” Durbin continued. “What you said earlier was that you had a record of speaking out, standing up for those minorities who you believe are not being treated fairly. Can you point to statements or cases you’ve ruled on relative to that class?” he asked.

“Senator, I’ve tried to treat each case and each person as a person — not a ‘this kind of person,’ not a ‘that kind of person’ — a person. Equal justice under law. It is a radical promise in the history of mankind,” Gorsuch stated. 

“Does that refer to sexual orientation, as well?” Durbin asked. 

“Senator, the Supreme Court of the United States has held that single-sex marriage is protected by the Constitution,” Gorsuch, indignantly, responded.

Remember, Gorsuch penned a dissertation opposing same-sex marriage just 13 years ago. He voted with the majority and wrote a concurring opinion in the Hobby Lobby case that declared corporations are people and have religious rights that are protected under the Constitution.

He has no right to be indignant.

Gorsuch did not reign in his indignation there. As Sen. Durbin continued his questioning, asking about maternity leave, Gorsuch could barely hide his anger.

Senator Durbin asked, “Do you beleive there are ever situations where the costs to an employer of maternity leave can justify an employer asking only female applicants and not male applicants about family plans?”

“Senator, those are not my words and I would never had said them,” Gorsuch, angered, shaking his head, answered.

“I didn’t say that,” Sen. Durbin replied. “I asked you if you agreed with the statement.”

“And I’m telling you I don’t,” Gorsuch, tensely, retorted.