Trump's judicial nominee sparks outrage with 'chilling' response to senator's question

One of President Donald Trump's nominees for a federal court seat in Texas sparked outrage after he refused to answer a basic legal question during a recent hearing.

Sen Chris Coons (D-DE) asked John George Edward Marck, whom Trump nominated last month for U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, about what the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution says. Marck, however, did not answer the question and instead sat silently while another witness at the hearing did.

The amendment says unequivocally that "no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice." The amendment has become a topic of conversation after Trump threatened to run for a third term, a claim that Republicans in Congress have lightly pushed back on.

When Coons asked Marck if Trump is eligible to run for a third term, Marck said he needed to "review the facts" of the case to make a determination.

Marck's comments sparked outrage on social media.

"Unreal," former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois posted on X.

"Unequivocally DISQUALIFYING!!!" former GOP analyst Tara Setmayer posted on X.

"This is really chilling. Like a scene from a dystopian movie, and alarming for anyone who cares about democracy," author Nick Bryant posted on X. "A judicial nominee flagrantly flouting the constitution about Trump's eligibility for a third term. The constitution is unambiguous. He is not eligible."