Kavanaugh Hearing: John Dean Warns of "Supreme Court of Pro-Presidential Power"



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John Dean, the former Nixon White House Council who played a crucial role in the Watergate scandal, will testify Friday that Brett M. Kavanaugh, as associate judge, will lead to the "Supreme Court of the most pro-presidential powers in the modern era".

The observation is set out in the remarks prepared by Dean before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the final day of Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings. More than two dozen witnesses will testify for and against the choice of the Supreme Court of President Trump.

Dean asserts in his testimony that the Conservatives have "slowly made a 180-degree turn" on executive power and that a Supreme Court too respectful of the President "is deeply troubled" with Republicans controlling both the House and the House of Commons. Senate.

"With Judge Kavanaugh on the ground, we should anticipate a majority that will have more and more trouble discovering presidential actions that they do not approve of," said Dean, who Democrats in the Senate asked to testify. .

He adds, "There is much to fear from an uncontrolled president who is inclined to abuse his powers. It's a fact that I can attest to from my personal experience.


John Dean, White House advisor to President Richard Nixon, speaks in Washington, DC, at a Washington Post-sponsored event to commemorate Watergate's 40th anniversary on June 11, 2012. (Alex Brandon / AP)

Dean was a key witness at the Watergate Congress hearings in 1973, telling how he told President Richard M. Nixon that there was a "cancer" that was developing in the presidency. Nixon resigned in 1974.

Dean was charged with obstructing justice for his role in the camouflage of Watergate and spent four months in jail.

Kavanaugh had a broader view of executive powers and his views were a major focus for Democrats at his confirmation hearings to replace retired Judge Anthony M. Kennedy. In interrogation, Kavanaugh refused to say whether a president is subpoenaed or if he can forgive himself. The judge also declined to say whether he would recuse himself in cases involving Robert S. Mueller III's special lawyer in the investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election if they manage to the Supreme Court.

Kavanaugh said that it would be inappropriate for him to weigh in on issues that could be submitted to the court.

Democrats have assembled a list of witnesses who are considering debating the impact a Kavanaugh judge would have on voting rights, access to abortion and gun control, among other burning issues. Republicans have chosen to focus on Kavanaugh's personal qualifications, calling on witnesses who can testify to his legal acumen.

Kavanaugh is set to win confirmation by the end of the month with strong Republican support in the GOP-led Senate.

Friday's hearing began with the testimony of the American Bar Association, whose officials explained how Kavanaugh obtained a "qualified" unanimous rating from the group of lawyers. Paul Moxley, chair of the group's Standing Committee on Federal Judiciary, said the rating "reflects the consensus of his peers" and that ABA conducted 120 personal interviews and contacted about 500 people to evaluate Kavanaugh.

When asked if Kavanaugh was a general lawyer, John Tarpley, another ABA official, replied, "Absolutely. He is at the top of the stream. "

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