Richard Denner is a a character in NBC's The Blacklist.
Background
Richard seems to have a history with Reven Wright and Thomas Connolly. He always saw Thomas as a "smug bastard" while Thomas always saw Richard as a "paranoid self-righteous prick".
He is a former criminal defense attorney, as well as a former Berkeley law professor. He is an advocate for government transparency.
He has been a judge for 30 years, and over the years he realized that the Department of Justice's "barks" were far worse than their "bites".
According to Thomas Connolly, Denner has been considered "insane" by the Beltway for years. This may have been the result of his refusal to accept the "national security" excuse. After being forced to classify Keen's case, he realized the dangers of "crossing the line" and opposing the federal government.
Denner viewed the "national security" excuse as the greatest threat to the United States Constitution. However, after dealing with Keen’s case, he realized the dangers of constant opposition.
Season 2
"The Major"
He is specifically requested by Marking due to his hatred of government secrecy and the "national security" excuse. Denner agrees to the request despite knowing that he is legally exceeding his authority. At the beginning of the inquiry, Richard arrogantly dismissed Reven Wright’s warnings that he was making a mistake. During the enquiry he was openly biased against the government's side.
During the in-camera hearing with Elizabeth Keen and Harold Cooper, he broke a number of federal laws when he threatened them with imminent incarceration. He learned about the Task Force and all of it's work and how the government made an immunity agreement with Raymond Reddington. He believed his authority was absolute despite his illegal actions and the level of national security involved.
Wilcox shows Denner a bullet from the crime scene that links Keen's gun to the murder.
"Tom Keen"
Reven Wright informed Denner that the Attorney General is now involved. Denner remained impassive and lets her know if the Attorney General is interested in the case, he will be in the courtroom. When Tom Keen surrenders himself to protect Elizabeth, Denner mentions that Liz will still be charged for murder because of her previous answers. He finds out that Tom is still in love with her and that they will go to a grand jury as he was about to subpoena Tom Keen.
However, after nearly exposing the Post Office Task Force, Thomas Connolly arrives and orders Denner to end the inquiry. Connolly threatens to charge Denner with the violation of numerous federal laws regarding national security regulations. Telling Denner that he had "crossed the line" and accessed classified information without legal authority, ignoring the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. Denner is sickened at the option of folding to threats and legitimizing government secrecy, but Thomas made it clear to him that if he refused the orders, he would make sure his career and reputation would be destroyed. After being threatened, Denner changed his tone and questioned if the Task Force is really that much important to him, Connolly declared he does not know what that is and neither does he. Connolly states that the court case is to be forgotten or Denner will be arrested for exceeding his authority for he is willing to move past his illegal actions. As he was leaving, Connolly mocked him and let him know that if he made the right decision then once Thomas becomes Attorney General he will have him put in a "real court". After realizing his lose-lose situation, Richard folded to the threats.
Appearing before the court, he told the participants not to rise as the government had already shown its contempt for the rule of law. Sickened the government had won, he gave a speech on the importance of upholding the United States Constitution. Declaring that if Liz or Cooper testify, it will endanger national security, he ends the enquiry. When Brad Marking and Martin Wilcox object to the injustice, he states that they are low-level employees in the federal government and have no power over this case. Wilcox's outrage is ignored and Wilcox is ordered to accept the ruling. Denner reminded Elizabeth Keen about her duty to enforce the law and to let the good work she does be in some way a tribute to Eugene Ames's memory. After the inquiry ends, Connolly reveals to Elizabeth that they never had a case against her, he only needed to intervene because of Denner‘s bias against the government.
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