Calm Amid Chaos

Kavanaugh vows independence as hearing churns through protests, rules clash.

Judge Brett Kavanaugh promised to serve as an independent justice if confirmed to the Supreme Court, as he sparred with Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday about his views and past work for former President George W. Bush.

Senate Democrats grilled Kavanaugh on abortion, guns and other issues Wednesday, getting down to substance after an opening day of partisan fireworks — as protesters continued to disrupt his confirmation hearing and Senate leaders clashed over how late the hearing could go.

“The first thing that makes a good judge is independence, not being swayed by political or public pressure,” Kavanaugh said during the second day of his hearing. “That takes some backbone, that takes some judicial fortitude.”

Democrats on the panel, including a number thought to be considering a presidential run in 2020, have sounded the alarm about Kavanaugh’s past work in Republican politics, including as a lawyer in Bush’s White House. President Trump nominated Kavanaugh to replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy.

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