A week after accusing Democratic senators of seeking revenge 'on behalf of the Clintons,' Brett Kavanaugh declares 'I am an independent, impartial judge'

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A week after accusing Democratic senators of seeking revenge 'on behalf of the Clintons,' Brett Kavanaugh declares 'I am an independent, impartial judge'

Brett Kavanaugh

Andrew Harnik - Pool/Getty Images

Brett Kavanaugh

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  • Brett Kavanaugh declared, "I am an independent, impartial judge" in an opinion column published by The Wall Street Journal on Thursday.
  • The column is an answer to heightened concerns about an emotional outburst he had while testifying to the Senate Judiciary Committee last week in defense of sexual misconduct allegations leveled against him by Christine Blasey Ford and two other women.
  • During his testimony, Kavanaugh singled out Democratic senators on the committee and accused them of seeking revenge "on behalf of the Clintons." He also claimed they were acting out of "pent-up anger about President Trump and the 2016 election."
  • Kavanaugh's remarks have invited additional scrutiny over whether or not he can act objectively as a Supreme Court justice, if confirmed.

Brett Kavanaugh declared, "I am an independent, impartial judge" in an opinion column published by The Wall Street Journal on Thursday.

The column is an answer to heightened concerns about an emotional outburst he had while testifying to the Senate Judiciary Committee last week in defense of sexual misconduct allegations leveled against him by Christine Blasey Ford and two other women.

Ford said Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her at a high-school party in the 1980s. Kavanaugh denies that claim.

During his testimony, Kavanaugh singled out Democratic senators on the committee and accused them of seeking revenge "on behalf of the Clintons," and acting out of "pent-up anger about President Trump and the 2016 election."

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Those remarks raised red flags among Democrats and Republicans who viewed the Supreme Court nominee as having outed himself as a partisan.

In his Thursday opinion column, Kavanaugh recounted the joy he felt after President Donald Trump nominated him to the nation's highest court. He reiterated some of the remarks he gave in July when he said "a good judge must be an umpire - a neutral and impartial arbiter who favors no political party, litigant or policy."

Speaking to his outbursts during questioning from the Judiciary Committee one week ago, Kavanaugh said, "I was very emotional last Thursday, more so than I have ever been."

"I might have been too emotional at times," Kavanaugh admitted. "I know that my tone was sharp, and I said a few things I should not have said."

As of late Thursday, some key senators were mum about whether or not they would vote in favor of Kavanaugh. A key procedural vote is scheduled for Friday morning. A final confirmation vote is expected on Saturday.

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