WASHINGTON — During the second panel of a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, members questioned two district court nominees about past official actions, controversial pardons issued by Kentucky’s governor and their records defending state laws.

Chad Meredith, nominated to be U.S. district judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and William Mercer, nominated for the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, each made brief opening statements and then answered senators’ questions about episodes from their government service.

Why it matters: District judges hear trials and make fact‑bound decisions that can shape local enforcement and rights. Questions raised at confirmation hearings — including about pardons, legislation defended in court, and prosecutorial conduct — speak to nominees’ prior roles in government and how they will approach the bench.

Sen. Richard Durbin asked Meredith about pardons issued by former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, including one reported for Patrick Baker, who had been convicted in a high‑profile case. Meredith told the committee that he "did not review that pardon file and I did not advise the governor on that." He said he learned of the pardons from news reports and did not participate in those specific decisions.

Durbin also pressed Meredith about his prior work defending Kentucky legislation that imposed licensing regulations on abortion clinics. Meredith said the arguments he made to the court summarized record evidence; he told senators that the enacted compromise in Montana on related — but distinct — issues ultimately aligned state law with other states’ approaches and that his office sought to balance timely access against legal standards governing statutes of limitations.

Sen. Patrick Leahy and others pressed for clarity about the underlying facts in the pardon reporting; Meredith said he lacked firsthand knowledge of the pardon files and could not speak to specifics beyond what he had read in media accounts.

William Mercer — introduced by Sen. Steve Daines and supported by Montana senators — described a long career in Montana public service, including a prior term as the U.S. attorney for the District of Montana and roles in the Department of Justice during the George W. Bush administration. Mercer said the January 6 prosecutions were matters for the Justice Department and the courts: "Those are cases that were considered by the department and brought and adjudicated in the system and the outcomes are clear," he said.

Senators also raised the FBI’s past inquiry into the Bevin pardons and asked whether Meredith had advised on those matters; Meredith replied that he had not and that his office opposed at least one pardon (Irvin Edge) and had recommended it not be granted.

Both nominees repeatedly told senators they would be guided by precedent and the obligations of the judicial role if confirmed. Meredith said he would "set aside all of [his] personal beliefs" and act according to the law. Mercer emphasized his years of litigation experience for state and federal clients and said he would bring that experience to the bench.

The committee received written materials and published articles entered into the record on the nominees’ records; no committee votes were taken during the hearing's panel two. The hearing record will be available to senators as they consider whether to report the nominations to the full Senate.