Design by Dara Rosen
Confirmation chaos
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y one of the smallest margins for a U.S. Supreme Court nominee in American history, Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed on the Senate floor on Saturday, Oct. 6. This confirmation by a vote of 5048 resulted in a major victory for the Republican party and a conservative majority in the Supreme Court. Kavanaugh was nominated by President Donald Trump in September 2018 in an attempt to fill the spot of retiring justice, Anthony Kennedy. The seat was the second Supreme Court vacancy filled by Trump since he took office in January 2017. The Federalist Society listed Kavanaugh on a list of 25 judicial candidates recommended to Trump. Most of these candidates were judges with experience in the federal court system. “They’re all fine candidates,” Federalist Society associate Leonard Leo said in an interview with CBS This Morning. “You could throw a dart at that list and in my view, you’d be fine.” Kavanaugh attended Yale University, which also educated current justices Clarence Thomas, Sonia Sotomayor and Samuel Alito. In 1993, Kavanaugh served as a law clerk to Justice Anthony Kennedy, gaining hands-on experience in the judicial system.
Years later, Kavanaugh was on the associate counsel team led by Kenneth Starr, the special prosecutor who investigated former President Bill Clinton’s extramarital affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. As part of Starr’s team, Kavanaugh helped draft the report recommending Clinton’s impeachment. Continuing in his legal career, Kavanaugh served on former President George W. Bush’s legal team during the 2000 election, going on to spend six years working in the White House. Prior to his nomination, Kavanaugh gained judicial experience serving on the District of Columbia Circuit Court since 2006, the same court from which current Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg also served on. Since his nomination, Kavanaugh’s political history in the Republican Party has been subject to controversy. Many of Kavanaugh’s judicial rulings have fallen in line with the President Trump’s values. Despite the support shown from the GOP and Trump, many on the left have opposed Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination, especially after psychologist and professor Dr. Christine Blasey Ford accused him sexual assault in the midst of the nomination process. In one of the most polarizing
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lthough President Trump and other Republican leaders are satisfied with Brett Kavanaugh as a Supreme Court justice, he is not the right choice to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court nor is he the right choice for the future of the United States. A Supreme Court Justice should show an even-temperament, high moral standards and exemplary leadership skills, alongside honesty and integrity. However, Brett Kavanaugh shows none of these characteristics. When being questioned at his confirmation hearings, Kavanaugh avoided answering directly; he was evasive and combative. Unlike Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who remains tranquil and sensible when explaining her opinions, and Chief Justice John Roberts, who was confirmed to the Supreme Court with little opposition, Brett Kavanaugh is a hot-headed, disrespectful man, who, in such a high ranking position, is a danger to this country. He will be a guiding force in the U.S. government’s laws for years to come, which is something to be fearful of based on his recent conduct. As evidenced by Kavanaugh’s treatment of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, the future of women’s safety and rights are in serious jeopardy.
Brett Kavanaugh confirmed to the Supreme Court
Kavanaugh Confirmed. Retired Justice Anthony Kennedy, administers the judicial oath to Judge Brett Kavanaugh on Monday, Oct. 8. Photo courtesy of Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS
controversies of the year, this sexual assault allegation galvanized hundreds of thousands of Americans to fight both for and against Kavanaugh’s confirmation. The official hearing for Kavanaugh’s confirmation began on Sept. 27, and it addressed these sexual assault allegations. He was also questioned on his abortion views, his alcohol intake in high school and college, and his opinion on presidential powers. This accusation and the public response to it led to a week-long FBI investigation to examine Kavanaugh’s
moral integrity. Its results, however, made no conclusive claims for Kavanaugh’s case. Thus, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to send Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Senate floor. Despite the backlash from many, every Republican and one Democrat in the Senate voted to confirm Kavanaugh. Now seated on the highest court in the United States, Kavanaugh faces the challenge of proving to his critics that he deserves this judicial responsibility and that he will preside with integrity and objectivity. Story by Bianca Navas
Brett Kavanaugh should not have been confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court
When asked about his personal position on a women’s rights on the second day of the confirmation hearings, Kavanaugh refused to share his conservative views on abortion. “As a general proposition, I understand the importance of the precedent set forth in Roe v. Wade… It has been reaffirmed many times over the past 45 years,” Kavanaugh said. It seemed as though he did not definitively or clearly answer many of the questions that were asked. Three women in total have accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault: Deborah Ramirez, Julie Swetnick and Ford. However, Kavanaugh denied all claims and was extremely defensive when asked about the accusations. His rebuttal to Ford’s allegation only further exemplified how guilty he appeared. How do you expect to look innocent when you immediately attack the people questioning you? In fact, it actually makes you look more guilty. Kavanaugh also specifically attacked Democrats during his confirmation hearings saying things like “this whole two-week effort has been a calculated and orchestrated political hit.” He directly tied himself to Trump and the GOP, even though judges are supposed to be nonpartisan.
One who cannot follow laws should not be in a position of power to apply them. Kavanaugh committed perjury when he lied about what the word “boofed” means and what the “Devil’s Triangle” is. He also lied under oath about his drinking habits Tell the Truth. Demonstrators opposed to Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh protest inside the Hart building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., in college, in on Sept. 27, 2018. Photo courtesy of Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS an attempt to preserve his image. morally questionable person and a man According to Law and Crime, “multiple who lacks an even temperament, will hold legal experts, pundits and former peers this seat for the rest of his life. of Brett Kavanaugh believe the embattled Kavanaugh’s prior rulings as a judge Supreme Court nominee lied under oath shed light on where he will side in future during his re-hearing in front of the Supreme Court cases. Kavanaugh is known Senate Judiciary Committee.” to dissent on issues such as abortion, If Kavanaugh is willing to lie about climate and gun control. This country insignificant details, what is stopping him does not need another opposing view on from lying about larger issues at play? the Supreme Court to drive a bigger gap How can someone who has espoused between the parties; it needs a balanced, falsehoods be allowed to sit in judgment fair-minded individual to try to bring of any other individual? Kavanaugh, a people together. Editorial by Dara Rosen
In an effort to be more inclusive of a variety of student opinions, the Eagle Eye began including guest editorials from students outside of the newspaper staff during the 2017-2018 school year. Following Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court, our editors offered several conservative students, through Politics Club, the opportunity to share why Kavanaugh’s selection was positive. However, no students followed through on submitting an opposing editorial. Our editorial board chose to go to print with the con editorial, which reflects the beliefs of both the writer and the editorial board.
10 News/Editorial • Brett Kavanaugh
