It’s obnoxious because it appears he’s trying to make light of the question by misidentifying its scope. It wasn’t a question about his ability but rather a future state of affairs.

Responding to "can you..." with "I can but won't" is generally obnoxious behavior.

Maybe he was thinking out loud, but they should have known full well what the judge was asking and by refusing to answer the clarified follow-up they seemed to be doing whatever they could to weasel out of saying anything meaningful.

I guess I didn't read it that way, but maybe you're right. I'm not sure it's a reasonable thing to be asked to promise, so it doesn't really upset me.

> I'm not sure it's a reasonable thing to be asked to promise

If that was their response, I'd have no issue with it. I dislike the "technically I can but won't" answer followed by silence. It shows an attempt to deceive.

> Responding to "can you..." with "I can but won't" is generally obnoxious behavior.

It's a prod to get people to say what they actually want, instead of asking a vague questions with a stronger implication because it waters down the actual meaning of the words and is as weaselly as the response. Asking for the ability, requesting an action and giving a command are different things. Doubly so in hearings by government officials.

"Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?"