The consequences of the attempted sexual assault and sexual misconduct allegations against Brett Kavanaugh may not stop at possible ramifications for his U.S. Supreme Court chances. Calls are also intensifying for his “impeachment” from his current federal judgeship.
Kavanaugh was confirmed in 2006 as a federal appellate judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He has served there ever since and will continue to do so unless he is confirmed to the Supreme Court, is removed from his post or decides to leave.
Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) tweeted that, in light of “numerous allegations of sexual assault,” the House Judiciary Committee should assess whether Kavanaugh should be impeached.
He was not alone in this.
https://twitter.com/_therealmark_/status/1044977480799596544
https://twitter.com/AkaMotherto3/status/1044995920415379458
Many others are echoing this with the hashtag #ImpeachKavanaugh.
The New York Times published an argument in favor of Kavanaugh’s impeachment six days ago, but a lot has changed since then, and these calls for impeachment are picking up steam. Deborah Ramirez came forward on Sunday with the claim that Kavanaugh drunkenly exposed himself at a dorm party at Yale and put his penis in her face without her consent. Julie Swetnick, on Wednesday, came forward with allegations of her own, linking Kavanaugh and his friend Mark Judge to “gang rapes” at house parties.
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford was the first woman to make an allegation against Kavanaugh. She alleged that Kavanaugh drunkenly attempted to sexually assault her at a house party, and that his friend Mark Judge witnessed it.
Kavanaugh has categorically denied all allegations of sexual impropriety or assault.
Article II, Section 4 of the United States Constitution states that the “President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”
Article III, Section 1, on federal courts, says that judges, “both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior.”
The power of impeachment resides in the U.S. House of Representatives. The power to try said impeachment charges resides in the U.S. Senate.
[Image via Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images]
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