Senator Welch Questions Trump Judge Nominee on Controversial Pardon

Questioning Nominee Stephen Chad Meredith

• ❓ Senator Peter Welch questioned Stephen Chad Meredith, a nominee for United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
• 💡 The focus of the questioning was on a controversial pardon granted by Governor Matt Bevin.

The Baker Pardon Controversy

• 👤 The pardon was for a man named Mr. Baker, who was convicted of murder and served two and a half years of a 19-year sentence.
• 📰 Reports indicate Baker posed as a US Marshal and held the victim's wife and kids at gunpoint.
• 🗣️ Senator Welch highlighted that this case was widely reported in Kentucky and considered highly controversial, with even Senator McConnell calling it inappropriate.

Nominee's Lack of Specific Knowledge

• 🤷‍♂️ Meredith repeatedly stated he did not review the pardon file for Mr. Baker and did not advise the governor on the decision.
• 📰 He claimed to only be aware of the pardon through media reports and did not know the specific facts and circumstances.
• ⚖️ When pressed about the widely known details, Meredith maintained he did not recall them or was not aware of them.

Financial Connections and Subpoena Resistance

• 💰 Baker's brother, who hosted a fundraiser for Governor Bevin, reportedly contributed $21,500 to the governor.
• 🗓️ The pardon was issued in the final days of Governor Bevin's term.
• 📜 Meredith denied resisting a subpoena for the pardon records, stating that the governor's administration currently has them and that he did not believe the records went missing.