On October 6, 2018, Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, following a highly contentious and polarizing confirmation process. President Donald Trump nominated Kavanaugh on July 9, 2018, to fill the seat vacated by Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement.
Brett Kavanaugh, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, was known for his conservative judicial philosophy and his extensive experience in the federal judiciary. His nomination was initially seen as a strategic move to solidify a conservative majority on the Supreme Court for years to come.
The confirmation hearings began on September 4, 2018, before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Kavanaugh faced intense scrutiny from Senate Democrats, who questioned his views on key issues such as abortion, executive power, and healthcare. Despite the rigorous questioning, Kavanaugh’s confirmation seemed likely, given the Republican majority in the Senate.
However, the process took a dramatic turn when allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against Kavanaugh. Christine Blasey Ford, a professor of psychology, accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her at a high school party in the early 1980s. Ford’s allegations were followed by other accusations, leading to a series of explosive hearings.
On September 27, 2018, Ford and Kavanaugh testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in a nationally televised hearing. Ford’s emotional and detailed testimony was met with both sympathy and skepticism, while Kavanaugh vehemently denied the allegations, describing the process as a “national disgrace” and asserting his innocence.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance Kavanaugh’s nomination to the full Senate, but the decision was delayed pending a supplemental FBI investigation into the allegations. The week-long investigation concluded with a report that did not corroborate the claims against Kavanaugh, according to the Senate Republicans.
The confirmation vote proceeded on October 6, 2018. Kavanaugh was confirmed by a narrow margin of 50-48, with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) providing key votes in favor of his confirmation. The final vote underscored the deep partisan divide in the Senate and among the American public regarding Kavanaugh’s nomination.
Kavanaugh’s confirmation marked a significant victory for President Trump and the conservative movement. His appointment shifted the ideological balance of the Supreme Court further to the right, impacting key decisions on issues such as abortion, gun rights, and executive power. Despite the controversy surrounding his confirmation, Kavanaugh has since settled into his role on the Court, where he continues to play a pivotal role in shaping U.S. jurisprudence.