There’s a new Supreme Court justice in town. Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh emerged from behind the courtroom’s red velvet curtains yesterday and took his seat alongside his eight colleagues. His confirmation means there are now five solidly conservative justices on the nine-member bench.
Supreme Court justices sit by seniority, so President Donald Trump’s two appointees will flank the bench: Justice Neil Gorsuch at one end and Kavanaugh at the other.
Kavanaugh was confirmed 50-48 last Saturday, the closest vote since 1881. The new justice has assured Americans that he will be fair and is taking the job with “no bitterness” over the long process to confirmation.
Kavanaugh has begun moving in to his new office at the Supreme Court. He will take over space previously used by Justice Samuel Alito. Alito moved into offices vacated by Kennedy. Kavanaugh has also hired four clerks, all women, the first time that has happened. He has also been preparing to hear arguments this week—including yesterday’s about prison sentences for repeat offenders.
As the newest member of the court, Kavanaugh receives a few “special” jobs. He will be official note-taker for the justices when they meet for private conferences. He’ll also be the one to answer the door at those meetings if someone knocks to deliver something such as a justice’s coffee or forgotten eyeglasses.
Finally, he’ll sit on the committee that oversees the court’s cafeteria, which is open to the public. Chief Justice John Roberts has previously said that assignment is a way of bringing a new justice “back down to Earth.”
Judge with right judgment. — John 7:24
(AP Photo: Brett Kavanaugh speaks during the swearing-in ceremony for the U.S. Supreme Court.)
