President Trump announced his much-anticipated Supreme Court justice nominee last night – Brett Kavanaugh. The 53-year-old currently serves as a judge on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He is a strong conservative, a graduate of Yale College and Yale Law School, and even clerked for Justice Anthony Kennedy – so, he certainly possesses the credentials for the job.
‘A Fundamental Threat’ to Equality: President Trump’s SCOTUS Nomination Sets Internet Ablaze
“Judge Kavanaugh has impeccable credentials, unsurpassed qualifications and a proven commitment to equal justice under the law,” said President Trump in the announcement which took place at the White House. As you’d expect, this was not a sentiment shared by liberals, who reacted with fear and trepidation at the thought of having yet another conservative on the bench of the highest court in the land.
Whether or not the Supreme Court enforces the spirit of the words "Equal Justice Under Law," is determined by the individuals who sit on that Court. Brett Kavanaugh represents a fundamental threat to that promise of equality. I will oppose his nomination to the Supreme Court.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) July 10, 2018
The nomination of Kavanaugh is a serious and immediate threat to civil rights,women’s rights, labor rights and LGBTQ rights. No confirmation
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) July 10, 2018
What else do you need to know about Brett Kavanaugh other than he worked with Ken Starr to impeach Clinton, worked to help W win Bush v Gore Supreme Court case, and worked in both Bush White Houses. Recommended to Bush to put Alito and Roberts on the Court. He must be stopped.
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) July 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/PalmerReport/status/1016565493065400321
Judge Kavanaugh has applied an extreme and dangerous interpretation of the Second Amendment when determining whether a law is constitutional, one that does not take into account a law’s impact on public safety. https://t.co/xCEKwUQT7m
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) July 10, 2018
BREAKING: Brett Kavanaugh is Trump’s #SCOTUSpick. It’s time to get LOUD to #SaveSCOTUS: https://t.co/KIDZgWGQAh pic.twitter.com/NJ0ajbFY0G
— Planned Parenthood Action (@PPact) July 10, 2018
With Brett Kavanaugh as his SCOTUS pick, Mr. Trump is trying to force his repressive, bigoted agenda into our courts—and our lives. If confirmed, American citizens will hemorrhage basic rights, and corporations will have an open door for a hostile takeover.
— Tom Steyer (@TomSteyer) July 10, 2018
I will oppose Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination with everything I have, and I hope a bipartisan majority will do the same. The stakes are simply too high for anything less.
Read my full statement on #WhatsAtStake: https://t.co/BYtcB3LWWB #StopKavanaugh pic.twitter.com/5f2Bomxltb— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) July 10, 2018
Republicans have broken precedent and made a mockery of the Senate by refusing to give Merrick Garland a hearing and by removing the need for 60 votes for Supreme Court justices. It’s time that the Senate holds this administration accountable by rejecting this extreme nominee.
— Rep. Frank Pallone (@FrankPallone) July 10, 2018
President Trump just announced Brett Kavanaugh as his nominee to the Supreme Court. One thing’s already clear from his record: He can’t be trusted to safeguard rights for women, workers or to end the flow of corporate money to campaigns.
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) July 10, 2018
Despite getting slated by the left for being too conservative, it seems many pro-lifers are also a little apprehensive about his nomination. While Kavanaugh has previously declared his support for the protection of the unborn, he has not expressed outright opposition to Roe v. Wade. This will come as a massive disappointment to many conservative evangelicals, who, upon learning of Justice Kennedy’s retirement, were hopeful for an overturning of the landmark abortion ruling. With that in mind, it is strange that liberals are so panicked about his position on abortion rights.
I like how some liberals are simultaneously saying there’s no way Roe will be overturned and saying Kavanaugh is a huge threat to abortion rights. Which is it?
— Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) July 10, 2018
More recently, however, he dissented in a case where the D.C. Circuit required the U.S. government to allow an abortion for a 17-year-old illegal immigrant who was being held in government custody. After blocking the abortion for 10 days, his ruling was eventually overturned. In his dissent, Kavanaugh was clearly in favor of fetal protection, noting: “The Government has permissible interests in favoring fetal life, protecting the best interests of a minor, and refraining from facilitating abortion.”
He added that it was wrong his colleagues were creating a “new right for unlawful immigrant minors in U.S. government detention to obtain abortion on demand.”
His ruling read:
“Today’s majority decision…is ultimately based on a constitutional principle as novel as it is wrong: a new right for unlawful immigrant minors in U.S. Government detention to obtain immediate abortion on demand, thereby barring any Government efforts to expeditiously transfer the minors to their immigration sponsors before they make that momentous life decision. The majority’s decision represents a radical extension of the Supreme Court’s abortion jurisprudence. It is in line with dissents over the years by Justices Brennan, Marshall, and Blackmun, not with the many majority opinions of the Supreme Court that have repeatedly upheld reasonable regulations that do not impose an undue burden on the abortion right recognized by the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade.”
Unsurprisingly, the nation’s biggest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, is freaking out about Kavanaugh’s nomination, as they believe it may threaten their business:
What you need to know about Brett Kavanaugh:
-already ruled to limit access to safe, legal abortion
-ruled against women’s access to birth control
-an active member of the Federalist Society, a group devoted to appointing conservative judges who won’t protect Roe#SCOTUSpick pic.twitter.com/M6qvekm56a— Planned Parenthood Action (@PPact) July 10, 2018
The exact position Kavanaugh would take on a challenge to Roe v. Wade remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure – he is a staunch conservative whose nomination has the liberal left very much up in arms; of course, as we all know, it doesn’t take much for that to happen!
You can watch Trump’s announcement below:
Tonight, it was my honor and privilege to nominate Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court. #SCOTUS pic.twitter.com/97clc9zifm
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 10, 2018