Democrats and protesters turned the Kavanaugh hearing into madness within minutes
It took less than a minute for Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court hearing to devolve into chaos.
Before Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) even uttered a full sentence welcoming Kavanaugh as his confirmation hearing began on Tuesday, Democrats launched their resistance to President Trump's nominee. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) immediately interrupted Grassley, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) called for the hearing to be adjourned, and protesters loudly exclaimed their disapproval during it all.
Harris launched a wave of Democrats speaking over Grassley to question why thousands of pages of Kavanaugh's lengthy judicial records hadn't been released, and why they're having a hearing when 42,000 more pages of those records were unveiled at 11 p.m. Monday. Unreleased records have been the basis of Democrats' arguments against Kavanaugh since he was nominated in July.
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.
Grassley gave a few weak gavel taps and tried to speak over Harris, prompting Blumenthal to move to adjourn. Without the documents, this hearing is a "charade and a mockery of our norms," Blumenthal said, drawing applause from the audience.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) was the next to step in, saying Grassley's "decency and integrity" should compel him to stop the hearing. "You are taking advantage of my decency and integrity," Grassley shot back. A slew of protesters loudly voiced their displeasure.
Things settled slightly when Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the Judiciary Committee's ranking member, began her opening statement — but the tense mood persisted. Watch the hearing at C-SPAN.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
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
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
The billion-dollar fight over the 'holy grail' of shipwrecks
In The Spotlight Several nations have staked a claim to the San José's treasure but who has the right to it?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Kate Winslet's eight-year battle to bring the life of Lee Miller to the big screen
The Blend Lee, based on the 1985 biography The Lives of Lee Miller, has been a long time in the making
By Olivia Cole Published
-
'Miracles in the mud'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff 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
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Netanyahu makes controversial address
Speed Reads Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress denounced Gaza war protestors
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Menendez convicted of bribery, fraud, and extortion
Speed Read The New Jersey Democratic Senator was found guilty in a federal corruption trial
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Florida judge dismisses Trump documents case
Speed Read Judge Aileen Cannon ruled that special counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Hamas says military chief survived Israeli strike
Speed Read An Israeli bombing failed to hit its intended target, military commander Mohammed Deif, but killed at least 90 Palestinians
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published