Justice Brett Michael Kavanaugh
Brett Michael Kavanaugh is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, serving since October 6, 2018. He was nominated by President Donald Trump to fill the seat vacated by retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy. Known for his conservative jurisprudence, his judicial philosophy emphasizes originalism and textualism.
Personal Background:
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- Born: February 12, 1965, in Washington, D.C.
- Education: Earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor from Yale University.
- Early Clerkships: Clerked for Judge Walter Stapleton, Judge Alex Kozinski, and eventually Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.
Legal and Political Career:
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- Starr Investigation: Served as a deputy associate independent counsel under Ken Starr, contributing to the investigation of President Bill Clinton.
- Bush Administration: Worked as an associate White House Counsel and later as White House Staff Secretary under President George W. Bush.
- Appellate Court: Served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 2006 to 2018.
Judicial Philosophy and Notable Stances:
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- Executive Power: Historically advocated for strong executive branch protections, famously writing that sitting presidents should be shielded from time-consuming criminal trials and civil lawsuits while in office.
- Abortion: Formed part of the conservative majority that overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, steering federal jurisprudence away from unenumerated constitutional rights.
- Administrative State: Frequently rules to limit the regulatory reach and unilateral authority of federal agencies.
