BRETT Kavanaugh has been sworn in as a US Supreme Court justice, hours after the Senate narrowly confirmed his appointment following a battle that rubbed raw the country’s cultural and political divides.
The near party-line vote - a victory for Donald Trump – was 50-48, capping a fight that seized the national conversation after claims emerged that Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted women three decades ago, which he denies.
Following the vote, Kavanaugh was driven to the Supreme Court building across the street from the Capitol for a private swearing in ceremony.
The Senate roll call vote was interrupted several times by protesters in the galleries shouting “Shame on you”, before they were removed by police.
Protesters then moved to mass on the Supreme Court steps, chanting: “We believe survivors,” while some banged on the doors.
Within minutes, dozens of political and advocacy groups condemned the vote.
Trump praised Kavanaugh for being “able to withstand this horrible, horrible attack by the Democrats”.
The vote gave Trump his second appointee to the court, and comes in the amidst of campaigning for next month’s mid-term elections.
Kavanaugh replaces the retired Justice Anthony Kennedy, who was a swing vote on issues such as abortion, campaign finance and same-sex marriage.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here