Virginia House Del. Danica Roem (D) blasted Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s testimony before the Senate on Thursday, arguing his “attacks” against Democrats should disqualify him from the high court.
Kavanaugh appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee and forcefully denied Christine Blasey Ford’s allegations that he sexually assaulted her at a party while they were both high schoolers in the early 1980s.
Roem, who last year became the first openly transgender person elected to a state legislature, argued that Kavanaugh’s hits against Democrats in his opening statement before the committee prove he is not fit to serve in a “nonpartisan position.”
{mosads}“Tip: If you’re being nominated for a nonpartisan position as a neutral arbiter on the Supreme Court, attacking ‘the left,’ ‘Democrats,’ ‘the Clintons’ and ‘the media’ in your opening statement while noting there will be reprisal for years to come is, well, disqualifying,” Roem tweeted.
Kavanaugh asserted Thursday that backlash following Ford’s allegations was a “political hit” following President Trump’s 2016 election victory.
“This whole two-week effort has been a calculated and orchestrated political hit fueled with apparent pent-up anger about President Trump and the 2016 election, fear that has been unfairly stoked about my judicial record, revenge on behalf of the Clintons and millions of dollars in money from outside, left-wing opposition groups,” Kavanaugh said.
“This is a circus,” he continued with a raised voice. “The consequences will extend long past my nomination, the consequences will be with us for decades.”
Kavanaugh called the Senate’s handling of his confirmation process a “national disgrace.”
“Since my nomination in July, there has been a frenzy on the left to come up with something, anything to block my confirmation,” he said.
He appeared to speak directly to the Democrats who serve on the Judiciary Committee, saying he will not withdraw his nomination for the highest court.
“I will not be intimidated into withdrawing from this process. You’ve tried hard. You’ve given it your all. No one can question your effort,” Kavanaugh said.
He added that a “coordinated and well funded effort” would not “drive me out.”
“You may defeat me in the final vote but you’ll never get me to quit. Never,” Kavanaugh said.