AMERICA DIVIDED

Kavanaugh sworn in but saga has nation polarised

BRETT Kavanaugh was sworn in as the 114th justice of the US Supreme Court, after a wrenching debate over sexual misconduct and judicial temperament that shattered the Senate, captivated the nation and ushered in an acrimonious new level of polarisation.

Even as Judge Kavanaugh, 53, took his oath of office yesterday, not long after the narrow Senate confirmation, protesters chanted outside the court building across the street from the Capitol.

The 50-48 roll call capped a fight that seized the national conversation after claims emerged he had sexually assaulted women three decades ago — allegations he emphatically denied.

Those accusations transformed the clash from a routine struggle over judicial ideology into an angry jumble of questions about victims’ rights, the presumption of innocence and personal attacks on nominees.

His confirmation provides a defining accomplishment for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, which found a unifying force in the cause of putting a new conservative majority on the court.

Before the sexual accusations grabbed the Senate’s and the nation’s attention, Democrats had argued Judge Kavanaugh’s rulings and writings as an appeals court judge raised concerns about his views on abortion rights and a president’s right to bat away probes.

Mr Trump flashed a thumbs-up when the tally was announced and praised Judge Kavanaugh for being “able to withstand this horrible, horrible attack by the Democrats.”

He later phoned his congratulations to the new justice, then returned to his attack on the Democrats as “an angry left-wing mob.”

Senators predicted voters would react strongly by defeating the other party’s candidates in next month’s congressional elections.

“It’s turned our base on fire,” declared Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell.

But Democratic leader Chuck Schumer forecast gains for his party: “Change must come from where change in America always begins: the ballot box.”