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WASHINGTON – Supreme Court candidate Brett Kavanaugh declined to answer several questions about the potential limitations of presidential power during his confirmation hearings Wednesday, saying he could not say he thought that 39, a president could be summoned, dismiss a prosecutor.
In an exchange with the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Kavanaugh said that "no one is above the law in our constitutional system." He said that a judge's best qualities public pressure – as well as respect for precedents and collegiality and civility.
Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., The Committee Member, urged Kavanaugh from his point of view on whether a sitting President may be required to respond to a subpoena. Kavanaugh refused to answer the question because it was a "hypothetical" scenario.
"I can not give you an answer on this," said Kavanaugh, who worked earlier in his career for independent advisor Ken Starr during his investigation into President Bill Clinton.
Feinstein also asked Kavanaugh's comments two decades ago, that the United States against Nixon, which led to the publication of the president's oval-office tapes, could have "wrongly decided" and that "the president's investigation criminal, I would say no one should investigate this. "
Kavanaugh did not directly address the merits of the decision, but stated that he often hailed it as "one of the four greatest moments in the history of the Supreme Court."
Asked by Senator Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., If President Trump has the right to forgive himself, Kavanaugh said that he could not answer because he had not explored the subject .
"The question of self-forgiveness is an issue that I have never analyzed.It is an issue I have not written about … It's a hypothetical question that I can not answer in this context, "said Kavanaugh.
Later, Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Asked Kavanaugh what kind of "despicable" act of a president would constitute an imprescriptible offense.
"It's really a matter for the House and the Senate," Kavanaugh said.
Senator Chris Coons, D-Del., Asked Kavanaugh if he stood by the 1998 remarks in which he said that presidents could dismiss prosecutors at will.
"It's a matter of precedent," Kavanaugh said. "I think this question is governed by a precedent that you should consider." Pressed by Coons on the question of whether he still thought that a president could dismiss a prosecutor who criminally investigates him, Kavanaugh retorted, "I think all I can say, senator, in 1998."
Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Continued to put pressure on Kavanaugh about possible judicial issues involving the president, asking if the candidate could commit to recuse himself if a matter involving liability or Trump's criminal case was to be brought before the Supreme Court.
Kavanaugh responded that one of the key principles of the independence of justice was "not to make commitments on particular cases".
"I'm troubled and disturbed," replied Blumenthal.
Leahy also asked Kavanaugh if former GOP Senate member Manny Miranda had provided him with specific information on what Democratic senators were considering regarding judicial candidates after accessing their computers in the mid-1980s. 2000. This was taken from Leahy, contradicting her previous testimony.
Kavanaugh responded that he had not known at the time that he was dealing with stolen property and that his testimony had been accurate.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, DR.I, asked Kavanaugh to repeat what the candidate had told him recently, namely, that he was not able to guarantee compliance with a law requiring that the companies of the day should insurance protects pre-existing persons. Whitehouse was anxious with Kavanaugh, who had initially tried to give a more complete answer when the senator wanted a simple "yes" or "no".
"I can not give assurances on a specific hypothesis," Kavanaugh said.
Trump said on Wednesday that he was "satisfied with Kavanaugh's hearings".
"I've been watching today for a little while, I've seen incredible answers to very complex questions," the president told reporters at an event at the House. white.
Senators began questioning Kavanaugh on Wednesday morning, the second day of his confirmation hearings, during a session that was to last a long time into the night.
From the first moments of her morning comments, Kavanaugh was repeatedly interrupted by protesters, who were escorted out of the room. Grassley said that during the session, 70 people had been arrested during the first chaotic day of hearings on Tuesday.
The 53-year-old federal court judge delivered his opening speech Tuesday at a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee that lasted nearly eight hours. The hearings should end no earlier than Friday.
Kavanaugh stated that he did not decide cases based on his personal or political preferences and that the Supreme Court "should never be considered a partisan institution".
"I venerate the Constitution," he said. "If I confirm to the Supreme Court, I will keep an open mind in all cases. I will make equal rights for the poor and the rich. I will always strive to preserve the United States Constitution and the rule of law in the United States. "
Democrats on the panel launched a coordinated attack as the hearing began on Tuesday in which they repeatedly raised objections against Republicans for lack of documentation regarding Kavanaugh and for delaying last minute proceedings. 000 documents Monday night. , a few hours before the start of the hearings.
The Republicans intend to confirm Kavanaugh by the end of the month, before the next High Court mandate begins in October. It seems almost certain that it will be confirmed, especially if the Republicans stand together.
Former Senator Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., Kavanaugh's confirmation of "Sherpa" on Capitol Hill, will return to the Senate after the Arizona Governor announced Tuesday that Kyl would occupy the seat of Senator John McCain. , R-Ariz. died August 25 of a brain cancer.
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