WASHINGTON – On Monday night, President Donald Trump nominated Judge Brett Kavanaugh to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court created by the pending retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy.
Kavanaugh, 53, has a long record as a judge on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, writing approximately 300 opinions in his 12 years on the bench. Prior to being nominated to the D.C Appeals Court, Kavanaugh served as White House lawyer and staff secretary for former President George W. Bush. Kavanaugh was also a law clerk to Justice Kennedy in 1993.
In a televised announcement, Trump praised Kavanaugh saying “there is no one in America more qualified for this position, and no one more deserving.”
“If confirmed by the Senate, I will keep an open mind in every case, and I will always strive to preserve the Constitution of the United States and the American rule of law,” Kavanaugh said after Trump’s announcement.
Minnesota politicians have been quick to sound off on the pick. Here’s what they had to say:
Sen. Amy Klobuchar
“Serious concerns I have about Judge Kavanaugh in addition to the obvious health care & separation of power issues: He ruled that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was unconstitutional (reversed by full Circuit Court) & went out of his way to dissent against net neutrality.”
Serious concerns I have about Judge Kavanaugh in addition to the obvious health care & separation of power issues: He ruled that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was unconstitutional (reversed by full Circuit Court) & went out of his way to dissent against net neutrality
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) July 10, 2018
Sen. Tina Smith
“Here’s what we know: Brett Kavanaugh was hand-picked by extremist conservative groups. That’s not consensus. We should NOT be voting until we have a new Congress and let me be clear: I will oppose this nominee.”
“We need a Justice who will protect the rights of all Americans—someone who will put the Constitution first, instead of special interests or fringe ideologies. And make no mistake—Judge Kavanaugh is not that Justice.”
I’m on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court speaking out against Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination to be a U.S. Supreme Court Judge. We need a Justice who will protect the rights of all Americans. Make no mistake—Judge Kavanaugh is not that Justice. https://t.co/AQLRvIcded
— Senator Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith) July 10, 2018
Karin Housley, Candidate for U.S. Senate
“President Trump made an excellent choice in nominating Judge Brett Kavanaugh to serve as the next associate justice of the United States Supreme Court. Judge Kavanaugh is a respected legal mind whose career has been spent upholding both the rule of law and, most importantly, our Constitution. At a time when our nation’s founding principles are increasingly called into question, Judge Kavanaugh will make a tremendous addition to the High Court.”
Jim Newberger, Candidate for U.S. Senate
“President Trump made an excellent choice in Judge Brett Kavanaugh. As someone who thinks the Court ought to uphold the Constitution as it is written, I think the Court will be greatly improved with the addition of Judge Kavanaugh.
Judge Kavanaugh is qualified, there is no doubt about it. Any attempts by the Senate Democrats to block this nomination will be purely political. My opponent for US Senator has made her objections to Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation known. She listed the policy positions of hers that Judge Kavanaugh has either dissented on or ruled against. She can’t attack his credentials because even she knows he’s qualified to be on the Supreme Court.”
Rep. Keith Ellison
“With Brett Kavanaugh, Trump could cement an extremist conservative Supreme Court majority hostile to working people for a generation. With so much at risk we must fight this pick with everything we’ve got to protect women’s rights, workers’ rights, civil rights and voting rights.”
With Brett Kavanaugh, Trump could cement an extremist conservative Supreme Court majority hostile to working people for a generation. With so much at risk we must fight this pick with everything we’ve got to protect women’s rights, workers’ rights, civil rights and voting rights. https://t.co/uQixDMzFfS
— Keith Ellison (@keithellison) July 10, 2018
Rep. Tom Emmer
“His impressive 12-year record on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, in which he has defended the Constitution time and again, proves he is the right pick. Looking forward to swift confirmation from the Senate.”
Thrilled that Judge Kavanaugh is @POTUS pick for #SCOTUS. His impressive 12-year record on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, in which he has defended the Constitution time and again, proves he is the right pick. Looking forward to swift confirmation from the Senate.
— Tom Emmer (@tomemmer) July 10, 2018
Rep. Jason Lewis
“Given the stellar credentials of Judge Kavanaugh, President Trump’s nominee to replace Justice Kennedy certainly deserves a fair and serious hearing in the US Senate. The Supreme Court plays a vital role in ensuring the federal government operates within the time-honored and constitutional architecture so critical to our republican form of government. The Senate should waste no time in judiciously taking up the confirmation.”
Tim Pawlenty, Candidate for Governor
“Judge Kavanaugh is a well-respected, intelligent and fair jurist and should be quickly confirmed by the U.S. Senate.”
Judge Kavanaugh is another exceptional @POTUS selection to the #SCOTUS. He was confirmed with bipartisan support when named to the D.C. Circuit in 2006. Judge Kavanaugh is a well-respected, intelligent and fair jurist and should be quickly confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
— Tim Pawlenty (@TimPawlenty) July 10, 2018
Jeff Johnson, Candidate for Governor
“With this announcement it’s again hitting home that elections have consequences and, like he did with Justice Gorsuch, President Trump has picked a tremendous jurist for the High Court. Everything I know about Judge Kavanaugh suggests he will follow the Constitution as it was intended–and that’s how it should be.”
Nice headline. How about “Trump picks Kavanaugh for high court”? And the @StarTribune wonders why some believe they’re biased… pic.twitter.com/vve3HK5lVH
— Jeff Johnson (@MNJeffJohnson) July 10, 2018
State Rep. Ilhan Omar
“We’re going to fight this nomination like our future depends on it—because it does. The next Supreme Court could undo decades of progress—rolling back reproductive freedom, affirmative action and environmental protections. We must organize, fight back and defeat this confirmation.”
We’re going to fight this nomination like our future depends on it—because it does. The next Supreme Court could undo decades of progress—rolling back reproductive freedom, affirmative action and environmental protections. We must organize, fight back and defeat this confirmation https://t.co/PkQQ37O46J
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) July 10, 2018
Watch Kavanaugh’s complete remarks below:
