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Brett Kavanaugh
Associate Justice; U.S. Supreme Court
Supreme Court Justice whose confirmation was marred by credible sexual assault allegations and questions about FBI investigation integrity
Overview
Brett Michael Kavanaugh has served as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court since October 6, 2018. His confirmation hearings became a national flashpoint when Dr. Christine Blasey Ford testified under oath before the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 27, 2018 that Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her at a house party in suburban Maryland in 1982 when both were in high school. Ford's testimony was deemed credible by the American Bar Association and a majority of the American public per polling. The FBI conducted a supplemental investigation limited in scope by the White House; according to later reporting, the FBI received over 4,500 tips but did not follow up on the vast majority. Former FBI officials later confirmed the investigation was constrained from pursuing corroborating witnesses. Deborah Ramirez also alleged Kavanaugh exposed himself to her at a Yale dormitory party. Kavanaugh denied all allegations. He was confirmed 50-48; the narrowest Supreme Court confirmation margin since 1881. Before the Court; Kavanaugh served on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals and was a key figure in the Ken Starr investigation of President Clinton; authoring the most explicit questions for Clinton's grand jury testimony. He has since voted to overturn Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson (2022) and has consistently sided with expanding executive power and limiting regulatory authority.
Key Affiliations
Supreme Court
Associate Justice (2018-present)
agency
U.S. Court of Appeals; D.C. Circuit
Judge (2006-2018)
agency
Office of Independent Counsel (Ken Starr)
Associate Counsel; then Senior Associate Counsel (1994-1997)
agency
George W. Bush White House
Staff Secretary (2003-2006); Associate Counsel (2001-2003)
agency
Controversies & Concerns
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford testified under oath that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her at a 1982 party; pinning her to a bed, groping her, and covering her mouth when she tried to scream; Ford stated she was "100 percent" certain Kavanaugh was her assailant
Deborah Ramirez alleged Kavanaugh thrust his penis in her face at a dormitory party during their freshman year at Yale; Ramirez passed a polygraph test and provided corroborating witnesses who were not interviewed by the FBI
The FBI supplemental investigation was limited in scope by the Trump White House; the FBI reportedly received over 4,500 tips and complaints but most were not investigated; former agents called the probe a "sham"
During his confirmation hearing; Kavanaugh displayed intense anger and partisanship; claiming the allegations were "a calculated and orchestrated political hit" and "revenge on behalf of the Clintons"; raising concerns about judicial temperament
Over 2,400 law professors signed a letter opposing Kavanaugh's confirmation; stating his testimony demonstrated a lack of judicial temperament
As part of the Starr investigation; Kavanaugh authored a memo advocating that Clinton be asked graphic sexual questions under oath; despite later claiming executive privilege shields presidential investigations
Questions about $200,000+ in credit card debt and a country club membership that were reportedly paid off before his nomination; no satisfactory explanation was provided
Voted to overturn Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022) after telling senators during confirmation he considered Roe "settled law"
Related Investigations (6)
Bush v. Gore: The Stolen 2000 ElectionFinancial Crime
Tier 1
criticalThe Federalist SocietyFinancial Crime
Tier 2
criticalJudicial Capture by Federalist SocietyInstitutional Corruption
Tier 1
criticalLeonard Leo & The Dark Money CourtsFinancial Crime
Tier 2
criticalThe Overturn of Roe v. WadeHuman Rights
Tier 3
criticalSupreme Court Ethics CrisisFinancial Crime
Tier 2
criticalKnown Associates & Connections
Christine Blasey Ford
Testified under oath that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her at a 1982 house party
Kenneth Starr
Kavanaugh served as associate counsel in Starr's investigation of President Clinton 1994-1997
Donald Trump
Nominated Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court on July 9, 2018
Sources & Documentation
3 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- February 12, 1965
- Birthplace
- Washington, D.C., USA
Education
- •Georgetown Preparatory School
- •Yale University; B.A. 1987
- •Yale Law School; J.D. 1990
Key Timeline
February 12, 1965
Born in Washington, D.C.
1983
Graduated Georgetown Preparatory School
1987
Graduated Yale University
1990
Graduated Yale Law School; clerked for Judge Walter Stapleton and Judge Alex Kozinski
1993-1994
Clerked for Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy
1994-1997
Worked for Kenneth Starr's Office of Independent Counsel investigating President Clinton
2001-2003
Associate Counsel in the Bush White House
2003-2006
White House Staff Secretary under George W. Bush
May 30, 2006
Confirmed to D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals after a three-year confirmation battle
July 9, 2018
Nominated to the Supreme Court by President Trump to replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy
September 16, 2018
Christine Blasey Ford's allegations become public in a Washington Post report
September 27, 2018
Ford and Kavanaugh testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee in nationally televised hearings
October 6, 2018
Confirmed to the Supreme Court by a 50-48 vote; the narrowest margin in 137 years
June 24, 2022
Joined majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson; overturning Roe v. Wade