Why did Ivanka Trump go to visit Supreme Court Justice Paul Stevens shortly before he retired? Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee Charles Grassley (R-IA) was blunt. The New York Post wrote that he told all of the justices “if you’re thinking about quitting this year, do it yesterday.” Then, the event spiraled down.
Stevens’ son worked for Deutsche Bank, but there was no obvious connection to Stevens’ retirement. Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) refused to give President Barack Obama his Supreme Court justice nominee, so that he could give it to Donald Trump.
During his confirmation hearing, several women came forward to accuse Kavanaugh of sexual abuse. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-NY) just tweeted with a video of a speech she made last year. In it, she opposed the latest Supreme Court justice, according to The Newsweek article:
‘We are asking Senators to respect survivors & the standards of the Supreme Court: #CancelKavanauagh.
Soon, the Senate will vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination.
But on November 6th, THE PEOPLE will vote on their Senators.
Time to send a message: https://t.co/7iDkzMwjdM pic.twitter.com/9PhrgeYuHv’
We are asking Senators to respect survivors & the standards of the Supreme Court: #CancelKavanauagh.
Soon, the Senate will vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination.
But on November 6th, THE PEOPLE will vote on their Senators.
Time to send a message: https://t.co/7iDkzMwjdM pic.twitter.com/9PhrgeYuHv
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) October 5, 2018
In the video, Ocasio Cortez said:
‘It is unsurprising that Kavanaugh, credibly accused of sexual assault, would lie under oath to secure a Supreme Court seat. Because sexual assault isn’t a crime of passion – it’s about the abuse of power. He must be impeached.’
When Democrats hoped for a moderate Supreme Court nomination from the Republicans, they were sadly disappointed. Trump tweeted his support of Kavanaugh a number of times:
‘Brett Kavanaugh should start suing people for libel, or the Justice Department should come to his rescue. The lies being told about him are unbelievable. False Accusations without recrimination. When does it stop? They are trying to influence his opinions. Can’t let that happen!’
Then, POTUS called Kavanaugh “a great man:”
‘“What’s happening to Justice Kavanaugh is a disgrace. This guy is not a good man, he is a great man. He has to go to his church with his family while these terrible reports are being written about him, a disgrace!” Dan Bongino @foxandfriends’
‘Just Out: “Kavanaugh accuser doesn’t recall incident.” @foxandfriends DO YOU BELIEVE WHAT THESE HORRIBLE PEOPLE WILL DO OR SAY. They are looking to destroy, and influence his opinions – but played the game badly. They should be sued!’
Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) noted:
‘(The committee should) immediately begin an impeachment inquiry to determine whether Justice Kavanaugh lied to Congress and why the FBI wasn’t permitted to investigate all credible allegations against him.’
The president Twitter-supported his second appointment to the Supreme Court:
‘Brett Kavanaugh should start suing people for libel, or the Justice Department should come to his rescue. The lies being told about him are unbelievable. False Accusations without recrimination. When does it stop? They are trying to influence his opinions. Can’t let that happen!’
Should the Democrats take up the calls for Kavanaugh’s resignation, it would probably not pass the Republican-held Senate. Even if they slow-walked the investigation, it would not likely be over before the 2020 presidential election, and fail. They should take up Kavanaugh’s impeachment after the election.
Member of the Judiciary Committee Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) went nearly rabid during the Kavanaugh confirmation hearing. He called it an “unethical sham.” Graham even accused the Democrats of playing politics, because they opposed an ultra-conservative judge. The Senator who used to be the voice of reason flipped and performed strictly for Donald Trump.
A New York Times report noted that one of the Yale classmates saw a very drunk Kavanaugh unloosen his pants and drop them. Then, he “thrust his penis” at a young woman during a dorm party. She did not recall the incident.
It appeared that the senators and the FBI had been notified of this incident during the justice’s confirmation hearing. Two women came forward with allegations that Kavanaugh sexually abused them in high school and in college. The Republicans severely limited the FBI investigation.
Another woman also alleged that Kavanaugh ran with a group who gang-raped girls during high school parties. Kavanaugh’s outraged denials were far from the decorum normally associated with the Supreme Court.
The FBI investigated expert witness and alleged victim Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s allegations. She testified before Congress, but the Republican-heavy committee did not believe her.
