Elena Kagan's big week
Kagan starts her Supreme Court confirmation hearings Monday. Here's a quick guide to the players, the pitfalls, and the politics

U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan has her first big test this week in her ascent to the Supreme Court, as she faces a ritual grilling by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Since apparently nothing explosive has surfaced in the 160,000 pages of documents released on her, the hearings offer Republicans' their best chance of derailing Kagan's nomination. (Watch an ABC discussion previewing the hearings.) Here's a brief look at what to expect:
What's the schedule this week?
Senators begin opening statements Monday afternoon, then Kagan will face questions Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Who are her Senate interrogators?
Twelve Democrats and seven Republicans, all of whom have gone through Supreme Court confirmation hearings before, three of them as chairmen of the hearings.
What issues are likely to come up?
On the Republican side, Kagan's limiting of military recruiters' access to Harvard Law students; gun control, abortion, and other hot-button issues that will resonate during an election year; and whether she is independent enough from the Obama administration. On the Democratic side, senators will likely use the hearings to highlight the conservative "judicial activism" of the Roberts court, and some might press Kagan on her views about civil rights, civil liberties, and presidential powers.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Does it matter that Kagan has never been a judge?
Conservatives and liberals are both a little nervous that Kagan doesn't have a paper trail of rulings, but it isn't considered a disqualifying factor — several notable Supreme Court justices have been confirmed without any previous judicial experience. Some conservatives have taken up the line that, given her bench-less résumé and time in the Clinton and Obama administrations, Kagan is more "political operative" than objective jurist.
Which exchanges will be most interesting?
Perhaps those concerning her judicial philosophy. In nominating her, Obama described Kagan as someone who understands the the law empathetically, "as it affects the lives of ordinary people." By contrast, Chief Justice John Roberts resorted to an umpire analogy to describe what he considers the role of a judge: "It's my job to call balls and strikes, not to pitch or bat." Expect Kagan to be pressed on which view she supports. Also, look for senators to chide Kagan with her own 1995 critique of Supreme Court confirmation hearings as a "vapid and hollow charade," and exhortation that nominees be more forthcoming about their views on legal issues.
Sources: New York Times, AP, CNN (2), Slate, Washington Post (2), Miami Herald, Houston Chronicle, U.S. Senate
-
Scientists want to fight malaria by poisoning mosquitoes with human blood
Under the radar Drugging the bugs
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: March 31, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku medium: March 31, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published