Court Battles

Kavanaugh hears case on felony law in first day on Supreme Court bench

Brett Kavanaugh made it through his first oral argument as a Supreme Court justice Tuesday without any interruptions from protesters, and he was far from shy.

President Trump’s second Supreme Court nominee, who was confirmed over the weekend despite allegations that he sexually assaulted women in high school and college, asked a total of five questions in his first case of the day.

The justices spent the morning grappling with the scope of the Armed Career Criminals Act and whether unarmed robbery convictions in Florida can be considered violent felonies if only slight force is used to commit the crime.  

{mosads} The law has a three strike rule for violent felony convictions which triggers enhanced prison sentences. 

Kavanaugh’s wife, Ashley, and two daughters were seated in the courtroom for his first appearance on the bench. Retired Justice Anthony Kennedy, who Kavanaugh replaced, was also present for the newly minted justice’s first day on the job.