The Supreme Court confirmation hearing of Judge Brett Kavanaugh continues Friday. This is set to be the final day of what Senator Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska) confidently declared would be the last job interview of Kavanaugh’s life. Testimony is expected from witnesses who will testify regarding Kavanaugh’s fitness for the position. Watch live in the player above beginning at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
Testimony on Thursday is expected from a committee of the American Bar Association that rates federal judicial nominees. There have been a number of President Donald Trump‘s picks whom they deemed to be unqualified, but the committee gave Kavanaugh their highest classification, “well qualified.” That determination was made on August 30 by a unanimous decision, according to committee chair Paul Moxley, who is expected to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee to deliver a statement on Friday. According to prepared words from Moxley, the committee “relies heavily on the confidential, frank, and considered assessments of lawyers, academics, judges, and others who have relevant information about the nominee’s professional qualifications.”
Also expected to appear on Friday is John Dean, former Nixon White House attorney and Watergate whistleblower. Dean was brought in by Democrats to oppose Kavanaugh, based on concerns over his broad views on executive privilege and presidential immunity. While current Justice Department policy is that sitting presidents cannot be indicted on criminal charges, Kavanaugh has written in opposition to a president even being investigated while serving. That viewpoint has raised concerns among those who fear that issues related to Special Counsel Robert Mueller‘s investigation end up before the Supreme Court.
[Image via PBS screengrab]
