Watch this very intense, very odd exchange between Brett Kavanaugh and Sen. Kamala Harris


In his second day of Senate Judiciary Committee hearings Wednesday, Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh rejected requests from Democrats to discuss his views on presidential pardons or whether a president can be compelled to testify in a criminal case. When Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) asked if he would recuse himself from any cases involving President Trump and Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, Kavanaugh declined.
But "Kavanaugh's most uncomfortable moment may have come near the end of nearly 12 hours in the witness chair," The Associated Press reports, when Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) asked him if he had discussed the Mueller investigation with anyone at the law firm Kasowitz Benson Torres, founded by Trump's personal lawyer Marc Kasowitz. "I would like to know the person you're thinking of," Kavanaugh said. "I think you're thinking of someone and you don't want to tell us," Harris responded. Then Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) cut in to object, saying Washington, D.C., is full of law firms, and they multiply "like rabbits." The odd eight-minute exchange ended without Kavanaugh answering the question.
"What in the hell was all that?!?" asked Joe Patrice at Above the Law. He offered some theories. "At this point, it's up to our imaginations what that could mean, but a seasoned prosecutor leaning on someone based on their acquaintances doesn't generally bode well for the witness," he said. Harris could be "bluffing," but "this mystery is going to be far, far more exciting than anything else we’re likely to see on Day 3 .... Unless someone from Kasowitz makes a surprise appearance on the witness list."
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.
More straightforward was Harris' question about abortion rights, and whether Kavanaugh could "think of any laws that give government the power to make decisions about the male body." Watch below. Peter Weber
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Why ‘anti-Islam’ bikers are guarding Gaza aid sites
In The Spotlight Members of Infidels MC, who regard themselves as modern Crusaders, among private security guards at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites
-
China: Xi seeks to fill America’s void
Feature Trump’s tariffs are pushing nations eastward as Xi Jinping focuses on strengthening ties with global leaders
-
Rebrands: Bringing back the War Department
Feature Trump revives the Department of Defense’s former name
-
‘We must empower young athletes with the knowledge to stay safe’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to Trump
Speed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump
-
Supreme Court allows 'roving' race-tied ICE raids
Speed Read The court paused a federal judge's order barring agents from detaining suspected undocumented immigrants in LA based on race
-
South Korea to fetch workers detained in Georgia raid
Speed Read More than 300 South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant will be released
-
DC sues Trump to end Guard 'occupation'
Speed Read D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argues that the unsolicited military presence violates the law
-
RFK Jr. faces bipartisan heat in Senate hearing
Speed Read The health secretary defended his leadership amid CDC turmoil and deflected questions about the restricted availability of vaccines
-
White House defends boat strike as legal doubts mount
Speed Read Experts say there was no legal justification for killing 11 alleged drug-traffickers
-
Epstein accusers urge full file release, hint at own list
speed read A rally was organized by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who are hoping to force a vote on their Epstein Files Transparency Act