A nominee for a federal judgeship put forward by former President Donald Trump faced a fierce grilling from an unexpected quarter during his Senate confirmation hearing this week: a senior Republican senator.
Confrontation Over Church Sermons
Justin R. Olson, the nominee for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, was questioned by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, 17 December 2025. The most challenging interrogation came from Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana, who pressed Olson on controversial sermons he delivered while serving as an ordained elder.
Senator Kennedy directly quoted from a 2015 sermon in which Olson stated marriage was not intended for all people, specifically referencing "our handicapped friends or our persons with physical disabilities that might prevent the robust marriage that we’re called to." When asked if he had said those words, Olson replied, "I think I did, senator, yes."
Kennedy then asked if Olson believed people with handicaps and physical disabilities should not be able to marry. Olson said "no," clarifying he was describing reasons some people do not marry, not why they should not.
Views on Sexuality and Gender Roles Scrutinised
The Republican senator did not stop there. He also questioned Olson about a 2022 church talk where the nominee reportedly described "transgenderism, homosexuality, fornication, and all sorts of sexual perversions" as hypocrisy stemming from internal shame. Olson said he did not recall the precise wording but acknowledged it sounded familiar, pledging to set aside personal beliefs if confirmed.
Further scrutiny came regarding a 2015 talk where Olson asserted that God "has called wives to be subject to their husband" and to "serve good of your husband and support his calling." Olson defended this by stating he was describing his church's understanding of Christian marriage and that he believes "every word of the Bible."
Nominee's Background and Trump's Endorsement
Donald Trump nominated Olson, a lawyer at the firm Kroger Gardis & Regas, last month. In his announcement, Trump highlighted Olson's work "fighting tirelessly to keep men out of women’s sports."
This refers to Olson's legal representation of former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines and other athletes in a lawsuit. They challenged since-rescinded NCAA policies that allowed transgender women to compete in women's sports, provided they met specific testosterone limits on a sport-by-sport basis.
The hearing underscores the ongoing tensions in U.S. judicial confirmations, where nominees' deeply held personal and religious beliefs are examined for their potential impact on impartial judgement. Olson's responses, particularly his commitment to set aside these beliefs on the bench, will be pivotal as the committee considers his fitness for a lifetime federal appointment.
