President Donald Trump has introduced his Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh as “a judge’s judge” and cited his “proven commitment to equal justice under the law.”
The 53-year-old Kavanaugh is a longtime fixture of the Republican establishment. He has been a judge on the federal appeals court in Washington since 2006. He also was a key aide to Kenneth Starr during the investigation of President Bill Clinton. Kavanaugh also worked in the White House during George W. Bush’s presidency.
Trump says Kavanaugh has “impeccable credentials and unsurpassed qualifications.”
Trump made the announcement in the East Room of the White House and rousing applause broke out as Kavanaugh entered with his wife and two daughters.
Here is Hoosier reaction to the announcement:
U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly:
“As I have said, part of my job as Senator includes thoroughly considering judicial nominations, including to the Supreme Court. I will take the same approach as I have previously for a Supreme Court vacancy. Following the president’s announcement, I will carefully review and consider the record and qualifications of Judge Brett Kavanaugh.”
U.S. Senator Todd Young:
“Judge Kavanaugh is a well-respected judge with a strong record of honoring the Constitution and upholding the rule of law. I look forward to conducting a thorough and objective review of Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination over the coming weeks, and I am hopeful that my colleagues will give him the same courtesy.”
2nd District Representative Jackie Walorski:
“President Trump made an excellent choice. Judge Kavanaugh has impeccable credentials and a strong record of defending the Constitution. I have no doubt he will continue to uphold the rule of law and respect the sanctity of life as a justice of the Supreme Court. The Senate should confirm his nomination without delay.”
3rd District Representative Jim Banks:
“In an unprecedented move, then-candidate Donald Trump released a list of conservative constitutionalists that he would select from to serve on the Supreme Court. The list was a driving factor for millions of voters who elected President Trump and Republican majorities in Congress.
“Staying true to his word, President Trump once again has nominated an excellent jurist from the list.
“Brett Kavanaugh will uphold our Constitution, defend the right to life and respect religious liberty. I urge my Senate colleagues to swiftly confirm his nomination.”
Congressman Todd Rokita:
“Tonight’s decision marks a monumental time in our Nation’s history. The stakes are high as we enter into this nomination process, and the liberal elite will continue to resist and obstruct qualified candidates like Judge Kavanaugh from being confirmed. That is why I will fight alongside President Trump to ensure we secure Judge Kavanaugh as our next Supreme Court Justice and I am certain that he will strictly follow our Constitution and be a great asset to our Nation on the bench.”
Indiana Republican Party Chairman Kyle Hupfer:
“When Hoosier voters went to the polls in 2016, they voted overwhelmingly in support of a president who would nominate mainstream conservative justices to the United States Supreme Court. That’s exactly what we got with the nomination last year of Neil Gorsuch, and that’s what we’re getting now with the selection of Judge Brett Kavanaugh.
“President Trump is delivering on his promises with today’s nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, a judge with a solid reputation who will apply the U.S. Constitution as it’s written. I urge Senate Democrats, including Democrat Joe Donnelly, to put aside their obstructionist agenda and to confirm Judge Kavanaugh.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
