A Message About the Kavanaugh Controversy

The Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court hearings have elicited strong emotions among UC Davis School of Law students, faculty and staff, especially regarding allegations of sexual misconduct against Judge Kavanaugh.

I support the different avenues members of the King Hall community have taken to express their concerns about the hearings and the confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh, including the vital feedback we received during the town hall earlier this week. This morning, a banner appeared outside King Hall expressing opposition to the confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh and support for survivors of sexual assault.

We understand that the hearings have raised sensitive and challenging issues, and we want to reiterate our commitment to providing a safe environment for everyone at King Hall during these tumultuous times.

A Town Hall Discussion

Every once in a while, we hold a town hall to discuss issues of public concern.  On Oct. 2, we held a town hall to discuss the confirmation hearings of Brett Kavanaugh as an associate justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.

 I moderated the discussion and began by describing what had transpired in the past week.  Here is my description:

“I think that it is fair to say that the hearings have followed an extremely unusual trajectory.  It initially looked like smooth sailing for Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation.  Then there were reports of a sexual assault by Kavanaugh.  And then more claims surfaced.

The Senate Judiciary Committee held hearings on one of the assault charges on Sept. 27. Dr. Christine Blasey-Ford testified that she was 100 percent sure that Kavanaugh had assaulted her when she was 15.  Judge Kavanaugh categorically denied the allegations.

In a surprising turn of events, Sen. Jeff Flake, a Republican from Arizona, announced that he supported the nomination but later in the day called for a one-week “pause” that would allow the FBI to investigate the charges. 

Besides the various assault allegations, there has been much discussion of Kavanaugh’s drinking as a young person, whether he has the right judicial temperament, and whether he lied about various matters, including his drinking.

These are important matters for the nation.  And it seemed appropriate to have the opportunity for a public discussion of the issues.  At the suggestion of Senior Associate Dean Afsharipour, we organized this town hall so that the community could share its views.  And, from talking with many people, we all seem to have views.”

Students, faculty, and staff had a fruitful discussion, examining the emotional and challenging issues raised in the confirmation hearings.  Although not everyone was always in agreement, people shared how they experienced the hearings and the fallout.  It seemed that most in attendance were in agreement that contemporary American politics prevented an even-tempered discussion among members of Congress from different parties.