Over the last few years, the Supreme Court majority has issued a series of rulings that have fundamentally reshaped America — ending federal protections for abortion rights, upending the ability of federal agencies to issue regulations, and granting the president near-total immunity from criminal prosecution
None of this is new news. For those of us following every detail, Trump's interference was obvious. So, now what? Kavanaugh continues to feel free to opinionate in ways that run counter to the will of most people. Thank you, Sheldon Whitehouse who keeps his eagle eye on the Supreme Court "cimininal behavior"!
Horrifying, in my book. He's actually one of the "better" repugnicants. sammy and clearance are despicable, and new information about roberts (his wife's grift and his command on the voting re trump immunity) is awful. And just today some disturbing information about goresuch came to light. So that actually puts kavanaugh up there with acb as one of the least bad ones.
In some ways the Court is actually 3-3-3 or maybe 3-1-2-3. The "1" is Roberts. I don't know how to place him. Before the appalling immunity decision, I would have put him in the middle 3. Has he totally lost control of the ultra-right or was he this screwed-up all along? Beats me. I'll wait for Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern to explain!
Did you know that the wonderful late John Lewis challenged the approval of Roberts when he was being considered to be a justice of the SCOTUS? His reason that he would be against protecting voting rights. Lewis was right; Roberts has always been -----.
And Roberts got approved by the Senate before the Dems caught on to how awful Republican nominees were. Just looked it up: the vote (Sept. 29, 2005) was 78-22. Four months later, the appalling Samuel Alito was approved 58-42 -- after nominee Harriet Miers had withdrawn for reasons I forget and am too lazy to look up. Before that, the October 15, 1991, vote on Clarence Thomas stands out for how close it was: 52-48. I didn't realize that as late as 1965, most confirmations were by voice vote. Can't imagine that happening today!
I used to hopefully think that there were 3 in the middle. As you say, there is no question whatsoever that the Court is now 4-2-3, at the very, very best.
For those of us (far too many) who have been victims of sexual abuse, it was clear during both the Thomas and Kavanaugh hearings that these men lied and are sexual predators. We know them when we see them. We could also easily see the cover-ups and the dramatic denunciations for show. I realize we must be careful about discounting candidates for any office when someone complains. But realistically, what abused women would put herself through the further abuse that Anita Hill and Christine Blasey-Ford experienced at the hands of the vicious Senate Republicans for what - celebrity? No. When these victims put their lives on the line to stand up to bullies and criminals - believe them. The fact that McConnell and Trump conspired to ensure a place on the Court they have now corrupted confirms their cowardice and criminality.
Back in the days when Anita Hill testified, most men were not as aware and attuned as they are today. At least she brought more thought and scrutiny to the issue. Today? horrifiying to see what Christine Blasey-Ford had to endure (over and over again).
Don't forget about Mitch McConnell's role getting all three of Trump's "stooges" appointed. Or that he didn't have the courage to vote to convict Trump both times he was impeached. The "Party of Putin" is well entrenched and disguised as Republican's.
You’re kidding right on McConnell and the convictions??
Also, funny I have been to many. Many parties on both my teen years and twenties and guess what? No rape was involved and somehow my penoss always stayed in my pants. This guy should be arrested and charged like the vile human he is. Can you imagine him next to your daughter or worse counseling your son (wow).
McConnell has no scruples. He as a “farmer” took a big chunk of Govt money that was helping the little guys who were trying to hold on to their phones. mcC is as badass as Trump!
We have the right to demand impeachment of SCOTUS justices. I can think of at least 3 who have been operating with repeated serious, impeachable ethical violations. Our elected officials currently lack the courage to begin impeachment proceedings but we need to demand it from them anyway.
17 Republican Senators would need to vote for conviction, assuming a 50/50 party split. In no imaginable scenario would that happen. With Romney gone, at most 2 Republicans might vote for conviction…Sue and Lisa.
The Taney Court (a tool of the southern oligarchs) was reshaped not by impeachment, but by changing the number of seats. Adding 4 would allow the court to reverse the corrupt rulings of the Roberts court.
Because of opposition to changing the rules for cloture (the filibuster) by Sens. Manchin and Sinema. With current rules, a 60 vote threshold must be met to pass legislation that the Democrats want and Republicans don’t. The Democrats have a faux majority…two members who do not care enough about the threat to democracy to go all in on changing those rules. This November, Manchin’s seat will go to a Republican, and Sinema’s looks like it will go to Ruben Gallego, a real Democrat. Tester in MT is a tossup, but races in Florida and Texas are within reach for the Democratic challengers. If Brown, Casey and Rosen are re-elected, Democrats may be able to keep their 50/50 majority, with VP Walz casting tiebreakers.
Big donation to Baldwin's campaign today. Also to Casey, Brown, Stabenow, and Osborn. Previous large donations to Allred, Gallegos, and Tester. A Senate race in Florida is a tossup?! I need to look into that! (Not rich. Taking out of my retirement account. If we don't win, it's all over for the U.S. I can't think of any more important investment I can make.)
Googled, and am very happy to learn that Mucarsel-Powell actually has a chance against the nasty rick scott! I had no idea. Ok, time to donate to her, too. So glad for the information! (As for Nevada, happily it appears that Rosen doesn't need my help. :-) )
Who would we make our demands to? I wish “ordinary Americans “ had the power to do so but I don’t think there is a vehicle for such action. Meanwhile, our country goes backwards with the terrible SCOTUS we are strapped with. I could write my Republican rep but his “26 years in the military” nose is imbedded in trump’s rump!! No help there!!!
My opinion -- this new evidence is the responsibility of Attorney General Merrivk Garland, who should order the FBI to review all the evidence, including interviewing all of the witnesses on the list, plus any others who may come forward, and report to the President if a review of Kavanaugh's apparently flawed Senate confirmation is required. Meanwhile, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Roberts, should suspend Kavanaugh from the court until such time as the Senate can legally convene, hear the evidence, and either confirm or remove Kavanaugh from the court permanently.
Unfortunately, Garland has not shown courage in prosecuting the clearly lawless. My hope is that when Harris becomes President, she will appoint an AG with a stronger passion for democracy, justice, and the rule of law. Neil Katyal comes to mind!
My hope is for a Harris win and an immediate removal of Meandering Merrick. Justice got convictions against low-level rioters and let the ringleader walk around free, although TFG is responsible for the secretive organization of that riot using Twitter, television and any audio announcement he could find.
Garland is a joke. True to the meaning of his name, his use is merely ornamental at DOJ.
I also remember the details of this piece clearly. Many of us were outraged by Kavanaugh's confirmation. I'm glad you're bringing this to light again, Judd. But what can be done?
Impeachment! He lied about his conduct in order to get the job. Starting the proceedings alone would spark an investigation into who is complicit, so that all can be held accountable.
I saw this story. I read about it. I was angry and upset. But having read your piece, I realize that I have become numb to the outrages - too many to count and too heinous to be believable. But they're all true. And my blood is boiling. BLOODY HELL! THIS SHOULD BE FRONT PAGE HEADLINE NEWS IN PAPERS ACROSS THE COUNTY. The press is broken and we have find a way to fix it if we want to keep a democracy.
Thank you for this reporting Judd. Sadly, exposing the corruption of Trump feels like emptying the ocean with a teaspoon. I just don't understand how he keeps rising again and again. It's amazing how just a few heroes keep scooping no matter how daunting the task.
Another failure by Durbin, Garland and Biden. Durbin should have opened hearings in 2021 about the Kavanaugh scam. He surely knew it was bullshit when it happened, but his failure to use his power is a disgrace. Garland could have opened investigations into Kavanaugh, Thomas and Alito, they all wear their corruption on their sleeves. And Biden should have fired Wray immediately after taking office. But none of them wanted to look "political" so here we are, 4 years later, and once again Republicans who have no shame, are still running circles around them.
Thank you for clarifying events surrounding the Kavanaugh fiasco, Judd. He is as despicable as the President who put his name forward, childish, entitled, and dangerous.
Why did Biden allow Wray to continue as FBI Director? Why has he allowed DeJoy to continue as US Postmaster General? These men are liars and snakes. They have blatantly disregarded their oaths to obey and defend the Constitution.
It is DeJoy was a friend of Trumps and if Trump won again was going to take the post office private. He has done his best to help him during the 2016 election by having so many of the new machines sorting machines and post and boxes removed so that people could not get to them to vote in New York City last month or so or maybe two or two or three months mailboxes have been taken off the streets because the mailboxes that were new and very expensive are thieves, paradise and there has been so many stolen checks and so much stolen money from them supposedly they’ve been removed. I really think it’s election interference in advance is no joy. Our mail stinks. Can’t send anything that you can’t take to a post office inside if it’s outside, they break into those boxes too, and it seems that there are keys that these thieves got from postal employees, no one has been accused
Living in the UK, I knew little of Kavanaugh before he was nominated, but I did see his questioning by the Senate live (as well as Christine Blasey Ford's witness statements). I was amazed at the way he conducted himself. I'll never forget one particular moment - it was like a horror film where suddenly the human changes into a monster. After one set of persistent questioning Kavanaugh dropped his mask, rounded on his questioners, and I could see straight into his soul (if that's what you'd call it). It was frightening and hideous. What a vengeful, vindictive person. I was astonished that anyone on the committee could have voted in favour of his appointment after that, because it must have been visible to everyone else. If anyone had doubted Ford's veracity beforehand, those doubts should have disappeared instantly.
None of this is new news. For those of us following every detail, Trump's interference was obvious. So, now what? Kavanaugh continues to feel free to opinionate in ways that run counter to the will of most people. Thank you, Sheldon Whitehouse who keeps his eagle eye on the Supreme Court "cimininal behavior"!
It's sad (and infuriating) that Kavanaugh is not the worst of Trump's three appointees, and by a long shot he's not the worst "justice" on SCOTUS.
Horrifying, in my book. He's actually one of the "better" repugnicants. sammy and clearance are despicable, and new information about roberts (his wife's grift and his command on the voting re trump immunity) is awful. And just today some disturbing information about goresuch came to light. So that actually puts kavanaugh up there with acb as one of the least bad ones.
In some ways the Court is actually 3-3-3 or maybe 3-1-2-3. The "1" is Roberts. I don't know how to place him. Before the appalling immunity decision, I would have put him in the middle 3. Has he totally lost control of the ultra-right or was he this screwed-up all along? Beats me. I'll wait for Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern to explain!
Did you know that the wonderful late John Lewis challenged the approval of Roberts when he was being considered to be a justice of the SCOTUS? His reason that he would be against protecting voting rights. Lewis was right; Roberts has always been -----.
And Roberts got approved by the Senate before the Dems caught on to how awful Republican nominees were. Just looked it up: the vote (Sept. 29, 2005) was 78-22. Four months later, the appalling Samuel Alito was approved 58-42 -- after nominee Harriet Miers had withdrawn for reasons I forget and am too lazy to look up. Before that, the October 15, 1991, vote on Clarence Thomas stands out for how close it was: 52-48. I didn't realize that as late as 1965, most confirmations were by voice vote. Can't imagine that happening today!
I used to hopefully think that there were 3 in the middle. As you say, there is no question whatsoever that the Court is now 4-2-3, at the very, very best.
No it is not! Grateful to Sheldon Whitehouse as well.
For those of us (far too many) who have been victims of sexual abuse, it was clear during both the Thomas and Kavanaugh hearings that these men lied and are sexual predators. We know them when we see them. We could also easily see the cover-ups and the dramatic denunciations for show. I realize we must be careful about discounting candidates for any office when someone complains. But realistically, what abused women would put herself through the further abuse that Anita Hill and Christine Blasey-Ford experienced at the hands of the vicious Senate Republicans for what - celebrity? No. When these victims put their lives on the line to stand up to bullies and criminals - believe them. The fact that McConnell and Trump conspired to ensure a place on the Court they have now corrupted confirms their cowardice and criminality.
Back in the days when Anita Hill testified, most men were not as aware and attuned as they are today. At least she brought more thought and scrutiny to the issue. Today? horrifiying to see what Christine Blasey-Ford had to endure (over and over again).
And, many (male) attorneys signed a petition against Kavanaugh!
Don't forget about Mitch McConnell's role getting all three of Trump's "stooges" appointed. Or that he didn't have the courage to vote to convict Trump both times he was impeached. The "Party of Putin" is well entrenched and disguised as Republican's.
If McConnell had convictions he would have convicted. Irony on top of irony.
You’re kidding right on McConnell and the convictions??
Also, funny I have been to many. Many parties on both my teen years and twenties and guess what? No rape was involved and somehow my penoss always stayed in my pants. This guy should be arrested and charged like the vile human he is. Can you imagine him next to your daughter or worse counseling your son (wow).
McConnell has no scruples. He as a “farmer” took a big chunk of Govt money that was helping the little guys who were trying to hold on to their phones. mcC is as badass as Trump!
Mark, 🎯 And there MUST be consequences! We need a Blue Congress to get there!
No longer disguised. They're fully outed.
We have the right to demand impeachment of SCOTUS justices. I can think of at least 3 who have been operating with repeated serious, impeachable ethical violations. Our elected officials currently lack the courage to begin impeachment proceedings but we need to demand it from them anyway.
Didn't AOC file articles of impeachment against 3 SCOTUS justices? Do you know what happened to that action?
17 Republican Senators would need to vote for conviction, assuming a 50/50 party split. In no imaginable scenario would that happen. With Romney gone, at most 2 Republicans might vote for conviction…Sue and Lisa.
The Taney Court (a tool of the southern oligarchs) was reshaped not by impeachment, but by changing the number of seats. Adding 4 would allow the court to reverse the corrupt rulings of the Roberts court.
I would support that; wondered by Biden didn't do it during his term.
Because of opposition to changing the rules for cloture (the filibuster) by Sens. Manchin and Sinema. With current rules, a 60 vote threshold must be met to pass legislation that the Democrats want and Republicans don’t. The Democrats have a faux majority…two members who do not care enough about the threat to democracy to go all in on changing those rules. This November, Manchin’s seat will go to a Republican, and Sinema’s looks like it will go to Ruben Gallego, a real Democrat. Tester in MT is a tossup, but races in Florida and Texas are within reach for the Democratic challengers. If Brown, Casey and Rosen are re-elected, Democrats may be able to keep their 50/50 majority, with VP Walz casting tiebreakers.
I should add Tammy Baldwin to Democrats imperiled in battleground states.
Big donation to Baldwin's campaign today. Also to Casey, Brown, Stabenow, and Osborn. Previous large donations to Allred, Gallegos, and Tester. A Senate race in Florida is a tossup?! I need to look into that! (Not rich. Taking out of my retirement account. If we don't win, it's all over for the U.S. I can't think of any more important investment I can make.)
Googled, and am very happy to learn that Mucarsel-Powell actually has a chance against the nasty rick scott! I had no idea. Ok, time to donate to her, too. So glad for the information! (As for Nevada, happily it appears that Rosen doesn't need my help. :-) )
Sue would only vote that way if she knew her "radical" opinion would get out-voted. Lisa actually has integrity.
Who would we make our demands to? I wish “ordinary Americans “ had the power to do so but I don’t think there is a vehicle for such action. Meanwhile, our country goes backwards with the terrible SCOTUS we are strapped with. I could write my Republican rep but his “26 years in the military” nose is imbedded in trump’s rump!! No help there!!!
We have to demand it at the ballot box. I know that's unsatisfying (to put it mildly) but it's what we have
Kavanaugh: What a privileged, dangerous, piece of shit.
My opinion -- this new evidence is the responsibility of Attorney General Merrivk Garland, who should order the FBI to review all the evidence, including interviewing all of the witnesses on the list, plus any others who may come forward, and report to the President if a review of Kavanaugh's apparently flawed Senate confirmation is required. Meanwhile, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Roberts, should suspend Kavanaugh from the court until such time as the Senate can legally convene, hear the evidence, and either confirm or remove Kavanaugh from the court permanently.
Unfortunately, Garland has not shown courage in prosecuting the clearly lawless. My hope is that when Harris becomes President, she will appoint an AG with a stronger passion for democracy, justice, and the rule of law. Neil Katyal comes to mind!
My hope is for a Harris win and an immediate removal of Meandering Merrick. Justice got convictions against low-level rioters and let the ringleader walk around free, although TFG is responsible for the secretive organization of that riot using Twitter, television and any audio announcement he could find.
Garland is a joke. True to the meaning of his name, his use is merely ornamental at DOJ.
An immediate removal of Chris Wray too. He is still blocking our understanding of what went on while trump was squatting in the Oval Office.
Roberts is of clean either!
I also remember the details of this piece clearly. Many of us were outraged by Kavanaugh's confirmation. I'm glad you're bringing this to light again, Judd. But what can be done?
Impeachment! He lied about his conduct in order to get the job. Starting the proceedings alone would spark an investigation into who is complicit, so that all can be held accountable.
I saw this story. I read about it. I was angry and upset. But having read your piece, I realize that I have become numb to the outrages - too many to count and too heinous to be believable. But they're all true. And my blood is boiling. BLOODY HELL! THIS SHOULD BE FRONT PAGE HEADLINE NEWS IN PAPERS ACROSS THE COUNTY. The press is broken and we have find a way to fix it if we want to keep a democracy.
Thank you for this reporting Judd. Sadly, exposing the corruption of Trump feels like emptying the ocean with a teaspoon. I just don't understand how he keeps rising again and again. It's amazing how just a few heroes keep scooping no matter how daunting the task.
Another failure by Durbin, Garland and Biden. Durbin should have opened hearings in 2021 about the Kavanaugh scam. He surely knew it was bullshit when it happened, but his failure to use his power is a disgrace. Garland could have opened investigations into Kavanaugh, Thomas and Alito, they all wear their corruption on their sleeves. And Biden should have fired Wray immediately after taking office. But none of them wanted to look "political" so here we are, 4 years later, and once again Republicans who have no shame, are still running circles around them.
Simply outrageous contempt of Congress concerning one of the Senate’s most important Constitutional functions.
Thank you for clarifying events surrounding the Kavanaugh fiasco, Judd. He is as despicable as the President who put his name forward, childish, entitled, and dangerous.
I previously thought that the FBI was more independent of Whitehouse control than what I am now learning.
White House, nor Whitehouse. Surely a typo.
Haha….Yes, a typo! Not the senator from Rhode Island. Thank you for the correction.
Maybe. Some bots comment from time to time.
Why did Biden allow Wray to continue as FBI Director? Why has he allowed DeJoy to continue as US Postmaster General? These men are liars and snakes. They have blatantly disregarded their oaths to obey and defend the Constitution.
I have read that only the postal Board of Directors can fire DeJoy. I don’t know if it is correct.
It is DeJoy was a friend of Trumps and if Trump won again was going to take the post office private. He has done his best to help him during the 2016 election by having so many of the new machines sorting machines and post and boxes removed so that people could not get to them to vote in New York City last month or so or maybe two or two or three months mailboxes have been taken off the streets because the mailboxes that were new and very expensive are thieves, paradise and there has been so many stolen checks and so much stolen money from them supposedly they’ve been removed. I really think it’s election interference in advance is no joy. Our mail stinks. Can’t send anything that you can’t take to a post office inside if it’s outside, they break into those boxes too, and it seems that there are keys that these thieves got from postal employees, no one has been accused
Ya think it was bad the first time "Putin's Puppet" was in the White House? Ya ain't seen nottin yet.
What’s our recourse?
Impeachment!
Practice contortion so that if Trump is elected people can bend over and kiss their behind goodby.
Living in the UK, I knew little of Kavanaugh before he was nominated, but I did see his questioning by the Senate live (as well as Christine Blasey Ford's witness statements). I was amazed at the way he conducted himself. I'll never forget one particular moment - it was like a horror film where suddenly the human changes into a monster. After one set of persistent questioning Kavanaugh dropped his mask, rounded on his questioners, and I could see straight into his soul (if that's what you'd call it). It was frightening and hideous. What a vengeful, vindictive person. I was astonished that anyone on the committee could have voted in favour of his appointment after that, because it must have been visible to everyone else. If anyone had doubted Ford's veracity beforehand, those doubts should have disappeared instantly.