Brett Kavanaugh hearing repeatedly interrupted by Dem objections, protests
By Alex Pappas, Judson Berger | Fox News
30 mins ago

Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation hearing turned into a political spectacle within moments of Tuesday's kickoff, as top Democrats tried to overtake the session with a rapid-fire string of objections and protesters shouted and screamed from the audience.

The chaos led Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas to remark, "This is the first confirmation hearing subject to mob rule."

More than an hour and 15 minutes after the hearing began, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, moved past Democratic attempts to delay and delivered his opening statement, over the sustained shouts of protesters who were being escorted out of the room.

"Judge Kavanaugh is one of the most qualified nominees – if not the most qualified nominee – I have seen," Grassley said.

The disruptions continued as lawmakers attempted to make opening statements. Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch struggled to deliver his prepared remarks, as protesters audibly shouted over him.

“I think we ought to have this loudmouth removed," a frustrated Hatch said. "We shouldn't have to put up with this kind of stuff."

Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin defended the outbursts.

Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee Sen. Orrin Hatch says 'we shouldn't have to put up with this kind of stuff' as protesters shout during the Senate confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

“What we've heard is the noise of democracy,” Durbin said. “This is what happens in a free country when people can stand up and speak and not be jailed, imprisoned, tortured or killed because of it.”

Grassley's statement capped one of the most unruly openings of any Supreme Court hearing. When Grassley first tried to kick off proceedings earlier Tuesday morning, Democrats interrupted within seconds. First, Democratic California Sen. Kamala Harris raised objections to the committee just receiving a batch of 42,000 documents relating to the nominee's work with past administrations.

“We cannot possibly move forward," Harris, a potential 2020 Democratic presidential contender, said.

Grassley told her she was "out of order," but other Democrats chimed in to back up Harris, including Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who moved to adjourn.

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This prompted applause from some in the audience, and touched off protests and shouting. Then, after New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker added his voice complaining of a "rush," Grassley countered:

“I think you are taking advantage of my decency and my integrity,” Grassley said.

Grassley rejected the protests, saying there will be “plenty of opportunities” to respond to the Democrats’ complaints and said he would “proceed accordingly.”

“We have said for a long period of time that we were going to proceed on this very day and I think we ought to give the American people the opportunity to hear whether Judge Kavanaugh should be on the Supreme Court or not,” Grassley said.

Cornyn suggested Democrats would be “held in contempt of court” if they behaved that way in a court of law.

He also accused Democrats of turning the hearing into “mob rule.”

Democrat senators call on Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Grassley to delay the Supreme Court nomination hearing to give them more time to review documents on the nominee's service.

“We have rules in the Senate,” Cornyn said. “We have norms for decorum. Everybody as you pointed out will get a chance to have their say.”

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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/09/...s-protests.html

Kavanaugh’s daughters rushed out of chaotic, ‘hot’ hearing
by Paul Bedard
September 04, 2018 11:52 AM

As Democratic senators fought to delay the hearing of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, and as spectators jarringly heckled the process Tuesday, his two young daughters were rushed from the hearing room, according to sources.

The two, Margaret and Liza, were taken out by their mother, Ashley, as the hearing got “hot,” said one insider.

“It was very unpleasant for young children,” said the insider.

At the beginning of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for the federal appeals court judge, senators angrily battled over the process.

And at times hecklers in the audience shouted out, apparently scaring the young girls there to support their father. One screamed, “This is a mockery. This is a travesty of justice. Cancel Brett Kavanaugh, adjourn the hearing.”

Margaret is 13, Elizabeth 10.


https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washi...-out-of-hearing