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Trump apologises to Kavanaugh over 'unfair' treatment | Trump apologises to Kavanaugh over 'unfair' treatment |
(about 4 hours later) | |
President Donald Trump has apologised to his new Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh for what he described as a "campaign of lies" during the confirmation hearings. | |
He was referring to the acrimonious debate over Mr Kavanaugh's nomination, after sexual assault allegations were made against him. | He was referring to the acrimonious debate over Mr Kavanaugh's nomination, after sexual assault allegations were made against him. |
Mr Kavanaugh said he was not bitter despite the "contentious" confirmation. | Mr Kavanaugh said he was not bitter despite the "contentious" confirmation. |
He has denied the claims made by several women. | He has denied the claims made by several women. |
The judge was confirmed by the Senate on Saturday, in a 50-48 vote that largely followed party lines. | The judge was confirmed by the Senate on Saturday, in a 50-48 vote that largely followed party lines. |
It is seen as a major victory for President Trump, tilting the balance in the nation's highest court in favour of conservatives for years to come. | It is seen as a major victory for President Trump, tilting the balance in the nation's highest court in favour of conservatives for years to come. |
One of the women accusing the judge, Prof Christine Blasey Ford, said Mr Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her at a house party in 1982 when they were high school students. | One of the women accusing the judge, Prof Christine Blasey Ford, said Mr Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her at a house party in 1982 when they were high school students. |
She provided testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee and Mr Trump initially called her a "compelling" witness - but he later questioned her credibility and mocked her at a rally. | She provided testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee and Mr Trump initially called her a "compelling" witness - but he later questioned her credibility and mocked her at a rally. |
What did Mr Trump highlight? | What did Mr Trump highlight? |
As the White House ceremony got under way on Monday, Mr Trump said: "On behalf of our nation, I want to apologise to Brett and the entire Kavanaugh family for the terrible pain and suffering you have been forced to endure." | As the White House ceremony got under way on Monday, Mr Trump said: "On behalf of our nation, I want to apologise to Brett and the entire Kavanaugh family for the terrible pain and suffering you have been forced to endure." |
And he decried a "campaign of political and personal destruction based on lies and deception", adding that "under historic scrutiny", he had been "proven innocent". | And he decried a "campaign of political and personal destruction based on lies and deception", adding that "under historic scrutiny", he had been "proven innocent". |
Last week, the FBI completed a report on sexual misconduct allegations against Mr Kavanaugh - but the findings have not been released to the public. | Last week, the FBI completed a report on sexual misconduct allegations against Mr Kavanaugh - but the findings have not been released to the public. |
Prof Ford has been unable to move back home because of "unending" death threats, according to one of her lawyers. | Prof Ford has been unable to move back home because of "unending" death threats, according to one of her lawyers. |
Mr Trump says Democrats will lose in the 6 November congressional elections, which will shape the remainder of his presidency. | Mr Trump says Democrats will lose in the 6 November congressional elections, which will shape the remainder of his presidency. |
What did Justice Kavanaugh tell the ceremony? | What did Justice Kavanaugh tell the ceremony? |
The 53-year-old justice told the White House gathering that he would not let the "bitter" confirmation process affect his work on the highest court in the land. | The 53-year-old justice told the White House gathering that he would not let the "bitter" confirmation process affect his work on the highest court in the land. |
"The Senate confirmation process was contentious and emotional," Justice Kavanaugh said. | "The Senate confirmation process was contentious and emotional," Justice Kavanaugh said. |
"That process is over. My focus now is to be the best justice I can be," he added. | "That process is over. My focus now is to be the best justice I can be," he added. |
Without mentioning the sexual assault allegations, he touted his record of promoting women - and the fact he has become the first justice to have an all-female staff. | Without mentioning the sexual assault allegations, he touted his record of promoting women - and the fact he has become the first justice to have an all-female staff. |
He will take his seat on Tuesday - on the far right of the bench, next to Justice Elena Kagan - hearing immigration and other cases. | He will take his seat on Tuesday - on the far right of the bench, next to Justice Elena Kagan - hearing immigration and other cases. |
Who wants Mr Kavanaugh impeached? | Who wants Mr Kavanaugh impeached? |
A handful of Democratic lawmakers, including congressmen Luis Gutierrez of Illinois and Ted Lieu of California, have pressed for Justice Kavanaugh's removal over the allegations. | A handful of Democratic lawmakers, including congressmen Luis Gutierrez of Illinois and Ted Lieu of California, have pressed for Justice Kavanaugh's removal over the allegations. |
But top Democrat Nancy Pelosi has said trying to impeach the new justice "would not be my plan". | But top Democrat Nancy Pelosi has said trying to impeach the new justice "would not be my plan". |
A petition to impeach Justice Kavanaugh has more than 150,000 signatures. | A petition to impeach Justice Kavanaugh has more than 150,000 signatures. |
Ms Pelosi says she will file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to make public the confidential FBI investigation into the claims against Justice Kavanaugh. | Ms Pelosi says she will file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to make public the confidential FBI investigation into the claims against Justice Kavanaugh. |
Justice Kavanaugh also faces more than a dozen judicial misconduct complaints over his public statements as a nominee to the Supreme Court. | Justice Kavanaugh also faces more than a dozen judicial misconduct complaints over his public statements as a nominee to the Supreme Court. |