Graham Platner wins Maine Democratic Senate primary – video

Senator has blunt response for Trump nominee in hearing: 'Can't answer a simple question?'

A Democratic senator pressed a Trump-nominated judge who refused to answer questions during his confirmation hearing for an appeals court vacancy on Wednesday.Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) had a sharp response to North Dakota U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Mack Traynor."When it comes to asking you basic questions about January 6, you won't answer those questions," Schiff said."The difference, senator, is that there are cases or controversies that I have before me as a district judge relating to individuals that have been charged for conduct that occurred on that date in this Capitol," Traynor said.Schiff mentioned how Traynor and 12 other conservative judges signed a letter urging a boycott on hiring law clerks from Columbia University amid the institution's handling of pro-Palestinian student demonstrations on the school's campus in response to Israel's war in Gaza, according to Reuters. In 2024, Traynor refused to recuse himself from a case involving university law school faculty regarding protests over the Dakota Access oil pipeline.Schiff asked if Traynor would recuse himself from other litigation involving Columbia.Traynor argued he held no particular bias against the university. Schiff pushed back."Your letter demonstrates a very clear bias, I'm not saying it's an unreasonable bias, but it is a bias," Schiff said. Traynor then again refused — for the second time in the hearing — to say who won the 2020 presidential election."I'm asking you the question," Schiff said."This is completely inconsistent with your involvement in the whole Columbia controversy," Schiff said. "Because you involved yourself in that controversy. You went out of your way. Nobody asked you to write that letter. You took this upon yourself to do, to insert yourself into that. But you're saying here you can't answer a simple question about who won the 2020 election because it would somehow implicate you in controversy. I'm sorry, there's no way to square those two things." SCHIFF: Who won the 2020 election?TRAYNOR: It is not appropriate for a judicial nominee to engage in discussion involving a matter of political controversySCHIFF: See, this is completely inconsistent with your involvement in the whole Colombia controversy. You went out of… pic.twitter.com/mzwggJo2XO— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 10, 2026

Senator eviscerates Trump judge nominee in clash during hearing: 'You understand?'

A longtime Democratic senator slammed a judge nominated by President Donald Trump for an appeals court vacancy after he refused to answer a direct question about who won the 2020 presidential election.Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) asked North Dakota U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Mack Traynor, who was testifying before the Senate during a confirmation hearing for the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals."Who won the 2020 election?" Blumenthal asked."This issue has become a question of political controversy. I'm a sitting federal district judge, I'm a nominee to be 8th Circuit court of appeals. Justice Jackson, who previously was confirmed by the Senate for a position...," Traynor said, as Blumenthal interjected. "It's 'political controversy' only because the president refuses to accept the results of the 2020 election. I'm asking you as a matter of fact. Who won the 2020 election?" Blumenthal again asked. But Traynor tried to dodge the question again."As Justice Jackson stated, in her responses to questions on the record, it is not appropriate to engage in discussion regarding that as a judge, or sitting judge," Traynor said.But Blumenthal wasn't satisfied with the judge's response. "So you're going to use the same script that other nominees have used before this panel to avoid the question?" Blumenthal asked. "I think the precedent established by Justice Jackson and other nominees is something that I need to follow," Traynor responded."As a matter of fact, who got more votes in 2020? Which of the presidential candidates?" Blumenthal asked. "As I stated before, this is an issue that Justice Jackson and other nominees have been asked, they've not provided a response," Traynor said.Blumenthal cut off Traynor and called him out for avoiding the question — and repeating the same excuses that other Trump-allied nominees have used in previous congressional hearings."You understand why I'm asking you to state, as a simple matter of fact who got more votes? The reason is because the president seeks to perpetuate a lie. You are in effect, protecting the lie if you fail to take an independent position as a matter of simple fact. Everybody in this room knows the answer. You're unwilling to state it. Instead, adopting a script that has been dictated to you by the White House. You prepared this answer with the White House, did you not?" Blumenthal said.BLUMENTHAL: Who won the 2020 election?JUDGE TRAYNOR: This issue has become a question of political controversy. Justice Jackson--BLUMENTHAL: It's 'political controversy' only because the president refuses to accept the results. I'm asking you as a matter of fact. Who won?… pic.twitter.com/Wzs3XqcgMn— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 10, 2026

(VIDEO) “They’re Cheating Dogs” – Trump Calls Out Rigged California Elections, Says There Was “Too Much Heat” to Rob Steve Hilton

President Trump on Wednesday blasted California's elections again, noting that Trump-Endorsed gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton nearly got robbed like Republican Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt.  "The only reason he got approved," Trump said of Hilton, is because "there was too much heat on 'em." Hilton was projected to advance to the November gubernatorial election on Monday night, the same night that Democrat mayoral candidate Nithya Raman took a massive lead over Spencer Pratt, securing her spot in the November mayoral election. The post (VIDEO) “They’re Cheating Dogs” – Trump Calls Out Rigged California Elections, Says There Was “Too Much Heat” to Rob Steve Hilton appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Lisa Murkowski vying to replace Bill Cassidy on Senate health panel

EXCLUSIVE — Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) expressed interest in running the Senate health committee chaired by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) next year, adding to the number of Republicans vying for the post. Cassidy’s loss in his Louisiana primary last month means that Republicans will need to choose another person to serve in his place, and […]

When to Expect Results in Maine, Nevada and Beyond

Four states have primaries on Tuesday. Election officials predict most results will come in late in the evening, though mail-in ballots may delay things.

Trump rips into Platner after primary win: ‘Low-level thug’

President Trump ripped into Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner on Wednesday, calling him a “low-level thug.” “He’s worse than any human being that’s ever run for office probably,” the president said. Platner, a progressive oyster farmer, easily won the Democratic primary on Tuesday to become the party’s candidate to face incumbent Republican Susan Collins.…

Graham Platner Wins Democratic Senate Primary in Maine

Progressive Democrat Graham Platner won the party’s Senate primary in Maine after a bruising campaign which became as much about accusations of his past misbehavior as it was voters’ top concerns. Tyler Kendall has more (Source: Bloomberg)

Democrats Are Literally Blaming Trump for Their Support of Graham Platner