Kavanaugh Investigation Revelations a Reminder of Conservative Power Hunger

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 8, 2024 – A new report from Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) reveals the extent to which the previous administration committed a sham investigation to cover up misdeeds by Brett Kavanaugh and rush his confirmation to the Supreme Court.

Following testimony by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford that Kavanaugh had committed sexual violence against her, the White House claimed it was opening additional investigation into accusations against him. The administration had actually directed the FBI to conduct a short and limited investigation but never authorized a full independent probe of allegations. While the FBI received more than 4,500 calls and messages about Kavanaugh, they were forwarded to the White House and never followed up on. Republican senators then cited the lack of corroborating evidence — that the FBI was not allowed to collect — as justification for confirming Kavanaugh.

With this revelation, it speaks to the illegitimacy of all three Supreme Court appointments under the previous administration. Senate Republicans refused to fill a seat “during an election year” in 2016, saving the seat ultimately for Justice Gorsuch. They rammed through Kavanaugh’s confirmation despite his very troubling reputation. Then, violating their own made-up rules, they confirmed Justice Barrett mere weeks before another election.

Alliance for Justice Interim Co-President Keith Thirion issued the following statement:

“Today’s revelations from Sen. Whitehouse are the latest evidence of how gravely insufficient the investigation into credible accusations of sexual assault were during Justice Kavanaugh’s confirmation. We may never fully know the extent to which Kavanaugh has violated women throughout his life. This is unacceptable. The eagerness with which conservatives sought to bury his past to protect him speaks to their desperation for power on the Court. Years later, we know all too well the consequences our nation has paid for these cover-ups — consequences to reproductive freedom, access to health care, environmental safety, gun safety, voting rights, the rule of law, and so much more. We already know how corrupt this Court’s conservatives can be, but it’s increasingly apparent they arrived there through corrupt means as well.”