Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, was mocked on social media Thursday for her opening question during the confirmation hearing of Interior Secretary nominee Doug Burgum.

“As part of my responsibility to ensure that a nominee is a good fit for any committee I serve on, I ask the following two preliminary questions,” Hirono told Burgum on Thursday. “The first is, since you became a legal adult , have you ever made an unwelcome sexual request, or been subject to any verbal or physical harassment or sexual assault? “

“No, Senator, I didn’t,” Burgum replied.

“Have you ever been disciplined or settled for this type of behavior? “Hiroye then asked.

Bundy fires back at Hirono over question about political prosecution: ‘Refuse to meet with me’

senator. Mazie Hirono and former North Dakota governor. Doug Burgum (Getty Images)

“I didn’t,” Burgum said.

Hirono has asked similar opening questions to several other nominees in the past, including Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth and Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi, and his question was met with criticism from conservatives on social media. Widely criticized.

“There’s something wrong with this woman.” Conservative commentator Chad Prather Posted on X.

Democratic senators who attack Hegseth’s qualifications support Defense Department security committee overseeing troop withdrawal from Afghanistan

Senator Mazie Hirono speaks during a news conference following the weekly policy luncheon on June 4, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Nathan Posner/Getty Images)

“No, it’s not artificial intelligence…” Conservative influencer Bennie Johnson Posted on X.

“What’s wrong with the Democratic Party?” U.S. Majority President Ned Ryan Posted on X. “They’re obviously bat-guano crazy sexual perverts. Is that all they want?”

“How come Hirono has a seat in the judiciary, the armed forces and the energy sector???” Columnist Tiana Lowe Duscher Posted on X. “Who is she in the Democratic leadership?”

Click here to get the Fox News app

Former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is sworn in during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee nomination hearing for Secretary of the Interior on January 16, 2025 on Capitol Hill. (Saul Loeb/Getty Images)

conservative comedian tim young Posted on X “The more Mazie Hirono asks Cabinet nominees if they have sexually assaulted someone … the more I think she is guilty herself.”

Henry Rogers, the Daily Caller’s chief national correspondent, called Hirono “unhinged” on X.

Hirono’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.