U.S. Senator Katie Britt Introduces and Questions President Trump’s Nominee to Serve as U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama, Justice Greg Cook, Presides[...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today introduced and questioned Alabama Supreme Court Justice Greg Cook, President Trump's nominee to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama. Justice Cook, a native of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, serves as an associate justice on the Alabama Supreme Court.

During the hearing, Senator Britt had the opportunity to preside over the second witness panel, which included Justice Cook.

U.S. Senator Katie Britt and Alabama Supreme Court Justice Greg Cook

In her introduction, Senator Britt expressed her strong support for Justice Cook's nomination:

"It is an absolute honor today to be able to introduce one of Alabama's finest, Alabama Supreme Court Justice Greg Cook, who I am fortunate to call a friend. Welcome to you and your entire family. In my opinion, this day has been a long time in the making … I am so delighted that President Trump chose Greg to fill the role there in the judgeship in the Northern District of Alabama.

"Greg has served at the Alabama Supreme Court as an associate justice since 2022. He has reviewed and written numerous opinions on some of the state's most complex, both criminal and civil cases, that were in front of him. He has an impeccable record of service … [H]e applies the law fairly and diligently to everyone who comes in front of him … [H]e spent years at one of our most distinguished firms and the state of Alabama, 32 years to be exact, earning the rank there of partner. But prior to that, he served in the Air Force. Greg made the rank of Captain and also continued to serve our nation in the Air Force Reserves. This is in his blood: love of country, service to those around him, in his community, in his family, in his state, and now for his nation.

"Greg graduated from Duke, also went on to Harvard Law, and despite the accolades that he's received in his life, the thing that has always been most important to Greg is his family. I say that because of the values that were instilled in him in the Shoals growing up. He loves his children, he loves his wife, his church, his community, and he has consistently bettered himself to be able to answer the call. I had an opportunity about four years ago to really get to know Greg. We had traveled around the state together and I got to see him interact with Alabamians. I got to see him connect with them, want to know what was happening and how he could be helpful. I also got to learn that he wrote 'Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure' book, which was quite a thick book, that shows he not only knows the law, he loves the law, and I have every faith and confidence and his ability to answer this call.

"Greg, thank you for being willing to serve. You are such a fine human being. Your character is unmatched, your diligence, (and) your intellect. I know that you will uphold the Constitution and you will apply the law faithfully in every single circumstance, and that you will be thoughtful about the role that that you are stepping into in a way that's going to make every one of us proud … I urge all of my colleagues to vote for Greg. And boy, it was an honor to be able to send your resume forward. And I appreciate President Trump for seeing what I saw on that piece of paper and in this human being in front of us."

In her first line of questioning, Senator Britt asked Judge Cook to describe his judicial philosophy: "I have heard you talk consistently about you being boring and predictable. Do you mind telling my colleagues a little bit about your judicial philosophy and what you will be like on the federal bench?"

Justice Cook replied, "I do believe in public service. That's why I spent four years in the Air Force, and that's why I spent all that time with the campaign trail together, going to all 67 counties in Alabama and driving 80,000 miles, because I believe in public service … I've written a two volume treatise on the rules of civil procedure. It's frankly a boring book, but it's a great reference tool. And it reflects, like you say, that I'm a boring and predictable person, but I've accumulated 35 years of experience now between my time and the firm and my time on the bench, and I want to be able to bring that service and that experience and that knowledge to bear in the federal system. And I think I can help the wheels of justice move and justly."

Following Senator Britt's question on his approach to novel questions of law, Justice Cook responded, "Well, on the (Alabama) Supreme Court, if I get a novel issue, I'm always looking at the text. The text is always the first thing you look at, and you look at the original public meaning of the text … Because the subjective intent of the legislators is really not relevant. What we care about is the words they passed. That's part of the separation of powers, is that we enact the laws and then … our court determines what the law is. We don't determine what it should be, we determine what it is."

Senator Britt concluded her questioning by asking each witness to speak directly to the Judiciary Committee. Justice Cook responded, saying, "I'm just incredibly honored to have the opportunity, Senator, and I just want to thank you and the President for that opportunity."

You can watch the Senator's introductory remarks for Justice Cook here, and her questioning here.

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