On Saturday, in one of the slimmest votes in American history of 50-48, Judge Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court of the United States amid controversial sexual misconduct claims from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. He was sworn in promptly after the vote by both Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and the retired Justice Anthony M. Kennedy—whom he is replacing—in a private ceremony.
This is considered a major victory for the Trump administration and Senate Republican leaders who have made stockpiling conservative judges a signature issue. At 53, Kavanaugh is young enough to serve on the Supreme Court for decades if not more.
“I applaud and congratulate the U.S. Senate for confirming our GREAT NOMINEE, Judge Brett Kavanaugh, to the United States Supreme Court,” President Trump tweeted Saturday afternoon. “Later today, I will sign his Commission of Appointment, and he will be officially sworn in. Very exciting!”
Maryland officials were not pleased with Kavanaugh’s confirmation and made their grievances known on social media:
Senator Chris Van Hollen, who voted no to the confirmation, believes that the allegations against Kavanaugh should have prevented him from obtaining the seat on the high court.
By advancing the nomination of Kavanaugh, the GOP-led Senate is saying this body no longer values seeking the truth through impartial, thorough means. Even retired Justice Stevens thinks Kavanaugh should not be on the Supreme Court. This is about politics, not justice—I voted NO. — Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) October 5, 2018
Maryland gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous also expressed his opposition to the confirmation.
The people of our state and our nation will not forget who ignored their voices and refused to stand in opposition to Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation, including Larry Hogan. https://t.co/qjMghLfUtL — Ben Jealous (@BenJealous) October 7, 2018
This is a difficult day for our country. For those of us who believe Judge Kavanaugh lacks the impartiality to serve on #SCOTUS – and who fear how his opinions will shape the future of reproductive rights, health care & other key issues – it’s understandable to feel disheartened. — Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) October 6, 2018
The confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh is the result of a partisan, hypocritical process the GOP implemented to achieve their political ends at the expense of an independent & impartial #SCOTUS. Republicans should be ashamed. https://t.co/W41id30gpW — Steny Hoyer (@WhipHoyer) October 7, 2018
Officials on the other side of the aisle were pleased with the decision to vote him in.
I am proud of my colleagues in the Senate for their decision to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to be the next associate justice on the United States Supreme Court. Congratulations, Judge Kavanaugh. — Rep. Andy Harris, MD (@RepAndyHarrisMD) October 6, 2018
Before the vote, Governor Larry Hogan declined to say whether he would confirm Kavanaugh if he were a senator.
“I’m glad that actually happened, that there was an FBI investigation,” Hogan told The Sun. “I have frankly no involvement in that. I’ve never taken any position on any Supreme Court nominee. I’m not qualified to make those decisions. I’m not a member of the Senate. I haven’t seen the report. I haven’t watched the testimony. I’m working 15, 18 hours a day, seven days a week. I’m not sitting home watching television. I’ve followed what’s happening, but I don’t feel educated enough to make that decision.”