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."
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.
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
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
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.
-
Today's political cartoons - September 14, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - a second debate, Europe on the menu, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 cleverly clashing cartoons about the presidential debate
Cartoons Artists take on a deepfake debate, winners and losers, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Pélicot case: a horror exposed
Talking Point This case is unusually horrifying, but the misogyny that enabled is chillingly common
By The Week UK Published
-
'We need to be honest about the FBI and its ability to prevent these tragedies'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Harris baits, debates Trump in feisty Philly face-off
Speed Read The first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris quickly grew combative
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'This failure to reach out to the entire 9/11 community is unacceptable'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Trump ups threatening rhetoric before debate
Tonight marks the first presidential debate between Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Will Kamala Harris give YIMBYs a voice in the White House?
Today's Big Question And can federal officials do anything about local housing rules?
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'The journalistic mission to follow the facts and deliver the truth must persist'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Is post-election violence inevitable, win or lose?
Today's Big Question As Election Day draws near so does the prospect of a violent response, no matter the eventual outcome
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Why are Democrats suing the Georgia election board?
Today's Big Question Worries about 'chaos on Election Day'
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published