Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) became a meme on Tuesday following his remarks at Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearing for the Supreme Court.
While discussing a “dark money operation” by conservatives to reshape the country’s judicial system, Whitehouse relied on numerous visual aids to reiterate his point.
But the reliance on numerous charts by Whitehouse, some of which he outlined in red marker, led conservatives to mock the senator.
Whitehouse was repeatedly compared to the character Charlie from the hit television show It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, who, in one episode, covers an office wall in similar charts and papers before going on a conspiratorial rant.
“Sheldon Whitehouse: the Charlie Day of the U.S. Senate,” @michaeljknowles said.
Others argued that Whitehouse’s comments were pointless given that conservatives obviously want more conservative judges.
“In which Sheldon Whitehouse undercovers [sic] a giant conspiracy in which originalist organizations work to get originalist judges selected to the federal bench,” @benshapiro tweeted. “Well done, Sherlock.”
Some conservatives even attempted to accuse Whitehouse of “mansplaining” in an effort to score points against the liberal lawmaker.
“A pompous Sheldon Whitehouse refuses to let Judge Barrett speak so he can lecture her about why she is not sitting before the committee based on her own merit,” @GOPChairwoman said. “Anxiously awaiting the media’s cries of ‘mansplaining.’”
Progressives, on the other hand, responded to Whitehouse’s presentation with praise, applauding the senator for shedding light on attempts to reshape the courts.
“Senator Sheldon Whitehouse bringing receipts on how right-wing groups have spent $250 million in dark money to reshape the courts and turn back the clock on fundamental rights for vulnerable Americans,” @keithboykin said.
Depending on whether you ask conservatives or progressives, the senator’s remarks were either laughable or historic.
Barrett was also questioned on Tuesday about court-packing, Roe v. Wade, and the death of George Floyd during her time in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
