- Pamela Karlan, a professor of public interest law at Stanford Law School, testified in a congressional hearing Tuesday before the House Judiciary Committee, where she discussed the constitutional power of the president.
- When asked by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee to compare kings' conduct with Trump's, Karlan made a point to say that the president does not have the power to "do anything he wants" like a king does.
- "The Constitution says there can be no titles of nobility, so while the president can name his son Barron, he can't make him a baron," Karlan said during the hearing.
- The First Lady reacted to Karlan's comment via Twitter, saying the Stanford professor should be "ashamed" for her "very angry and obviously biased public pandering."
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First Lady Melania Trump condemned a witness who mentioned her 13-year-old son Barron Trump in her testimony in an impeachment hearing Wednesday.
Pamela Karlan, a professor of public interest law at Stanford Law School, testified in a congressional hearing Tuesday before the House Judiciary Committee, where she discussed the constitutional power of the president.
When asked by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee to compare a king's conduct with President Donald Trump's, Karlan made a point to say that the president does not have the power to "do anything he wants" like a king does.
"So kings could do no wrong because the king's word was law," Karlan said during the hearing. "Contrary to what President Trump has said, Article 2 [of the Constitution] does not give him the power to do anything he wants.
"The Constitution says there can be no titles of nobility, so while the president can name his son Barron, he can't make him a baron."
The First Lady reacted to Karlan's mention of her son's name via Twitter, saying the Stanford professor should be "ashamed" for her "very angry and obviously biased public pandering."
"A minor child deserves privacy and should be kept out of politics," Melania Trump wrote. "Pamela Karlan, you should be ashamed of your very angry and obviously biased public pandering, and using a child to do it."
White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham called Karlan's comment a "classless move" in a tweet.
Karlan later apologized for her comment about Barron Trump, adding, "I wish the president would apologize for the things that he's done."
Barron is the only child the president shares with Melania Trump. The White House issued a statement in 2017 to protect Barron's privacy.
"It is a longstanding tradition that the children of presidents are afforded the opportunity to grow up outside of the political spotlight," the statement said. "The White House fully expects this tradition to continue. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter."