Shaheen Questions Trump Nominee Reed Rubinstein on 'Conspiracy Theories' and Legal Advice

Questioning Legal Adherence

• 🎯 Senator Shaheen questioned Reed Rubinstein, a nominee for Legal Advisor to the State Department, about his commitment to following federal law.
• ❓ Shaheen pressed Rubinstein for a yes-or-no commitment to advising against policies that would violate federal law.

Ambiguity in Legal Interpretation

• ⚖️ Rubinstein stated that the law is a "conversation" and doesn't always lend itself to a simple yes-or-no answer, particularly regarding separation of powers issues.
• ⚠️ Shaheen interpreted his response as a "no," expressing concern about his ability to provide impartial legal advice.

Past Statements and 'Conspiracy Theories'

• 🗣️ Shaheen cited a past online posting by Rubinstein alleging the Biden Administration was involved in a program to overthrow the Israeli government.
• 🧐 Rubinstein defended his statement, claiming there were sufficient facts to support it, referencing a 2015 Senate report and emails obtained via FOIA.
• 🧐 He distinguished between advocacy and providing careful legal advice, emphasizing his commitment to rigorously reviewing facts and applying relevant authorities.

Commitment to Impartial Advice

• 🤝 Rubinstein assured the committee that he would consult with colleagues, subject matter experts at the State Department, and the Office of Legal Counsel at the Department of Justice.
• 💡 His stated goal is to provide decision-makers with the best possible legal advice grounded in facts and law.