During a heated nomination hearing on July 30, 2025, the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary scrutinized the qualifications and past statements of nominee Mr. Dunlap, particularly focusing on his views regarding women's rights and free speech. The session revealed a contentious exchange about whether Dunlap's comments on gender differences were denigrating to women. He maintained that he did not intend to offend, asserting, "I did not say that, senator," when questioned about his remarks.

The discussion quickly shifted to the complexities of government speech and the First Amendment. Dunlap explained that while the government has free speech rights, it must navigate the delicate balance between expressing political messages and maintaining neutrality. This was illustrated through examples involving the city of Boston and Texas's specialty license plates, where the Supreme Court ruled on government speech rights.

Senator Whitehouse pressed Dunlap on his past involvement with a nonprofit organization opposing same-sex marriage, questioning whether his internship reflected his personal beliefs. Dunlap clarified that he did not actively participate in the anti-same-sex marriage campaign, despite having expressed views on the matter in the past.

The hearing also touched on Dunlap's family background, with him sharing insights about his immigrant parents and their influence on his life. He faced skepticism from some senators regarding his qualifications, with one colleague suggesting he was being unfairly labeled as a radical.

As the hearing concluded, the committee's dynamics highlighted the ongoing tensions surrounding social issues and the interpretation of constitutional rights, setting the stage for further discussions on Dunlap's nomination and the implications of his past statements.