On July 9th, 2018, Judge Brett Kavanaugh was nominated to become a Supreme Court Justice by President Donald Trump to fill the seat left by the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy. On September 4th, 2018, Kavanaugh’s Senate confirmation hearing began, butDr. Christine Blasey Ford accused of him of sexually assaulting her when they were in high school. The Senate delayed the confirmation process when Kavanaugh was accused by two other women, Deborah Ramirez and Julie Swetnick. Ford and Kavanaugh testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee over these allegations, ending when Trump ordered an FBI investigation into the claims, which concluded a week later, on October 4th.

Two days later, Kavanaugh was confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice by the Senate in a 50-48 vote, to the dismay of many people. Kavanaugh will be the fifth conservative Justice to serve on the current court, along with Justices John Roberts, Samuel Alito Jr., Neil Gorsuch, and Clarence Thomas. Millions of Americans believe that Kavanaugh’s confirmation will drastically change the dynamic of the Supreme Court. While in past years the Supreme Court has ruled both left and right on cases, based on the past rulings of the current Justices, the Court will most likely veer right on future rulings.

During the Senate hearing, Dr. Ford spoke of the summer of 1982 when Kavanaugh assaulted her, and her testimony was called compelling by many, including Trump, right before he mocked her at a rally and told attendees to “think of your sons.” A few hours later, Kavanaugh testified before the Senate, and his response was described as “a blistering, scorched-earth defense” by the “New York Times.” Kavanaugh proceeded to insist he was innocent and that “the confirmation process had become a national disgrace.”

Upper School History teacher Andrew Bigelow followed the hearings closely. “I am disappointed,” Bigelow said. “The American people were denied Justice Merrick Garland during President Obama’s last year in office. The damage done to our democracy by confirming two strict constructionists will be a problem for the next fifty years. Personally, I found Justice Kavanaugh’s behavior abhorrent, and he is clearly partial to the GOP and will add no value to our democracy.”

After the Senate voted confirm Kavanaugh, the process was interrupted by protesters in the Senate gallery who shouted, “I do not consent,” and “Where is my representation?” Fourteen people were forcibly removed from the Senate gallery, but protests continued far after Kavanaugh’s confirmation. Around 9:00 am, crowds started to form outside the Capitol, and this week over 300 people have been arrested during anti-Kavanaugh protests, including comedian Amy Schumer and model-actress Emily Ratajkowski.

Bigelow feels very strongly about the repercussions of the confirmation. “I believe Dr. Ford,” Bigelow said, “and I am worried, given the president’s antics with regard to women, that sexism will persist with the confirmation of our ninth justice.”