Law Professors: Kavanaugh Doesn't Belong on Top Court

During last week's Senate Judiciary Committee, Brett Kavanaugh showed a lack of judicial temperament that would be "disqualifying for any court," not just America's highest, a letter to the Senate signed by more than 1,000 law professors states. The letter—which can be seen in full here—says Kavanaugh's behavior shows a blatant "lack of commitment to judicious inquiry." Instead of acknowledging that senators needed to discover the truth, the Supreme Court nominee "responded in an intemperate, inflammatory, and partial manner, as he interrupted and, at times, was discourteous to senators," the letter states.

While their opinions of Kavanaugh's other qualifications differ, "we are united ... in believing that he did not display the impartiality and judicial temperament requisite to sit on the highest court of our land," states the letter, which will be delivered to the Senate on Thursday. There are numerous high-profile professors among the signatories, including around a dozen each from Harvard and Yale, per Politico. The Guardian reports that a second letter, signed by female legal faculty, accuses Kavanaugh of showing a "lack of respect for our democratic institutions and women in positions of power in particular," showing that he "is unable to adhere to judicial professionalism." (Security at the Capitol has been boosted as tensions over Kavanaugh rise.)