In an open letter to the Dean, Yale Law School students, alumni and educators asked the university to publicly oppose President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh.
The letter included the signatures of more than 600 current and former students as well as Yale educators who strongly challenge the universities support of a conservative Supreme Court Justice. Chosen by Trump to replace current Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, Kavanaugh is a graduate of Yale Law School’s class of 1990.
“Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination presents an emergency — for democratic life, for our safety and freedom, for the future of our country,” the open letter reads. “Without a doubt, Judge Kavanaugh is a threat to the most vulnerable. He is a threat to many of us, despite the privilege bestowed by our education, simply because of who we are.”
The open letter to Dean Heather Gerken and the Yale Law School Leadership addresses the political bias in the president’s decision as well as the Supreme Court decision on Roe V. Wade, a court decision that legalized abortion in the United States.
Since his campaign run started in 2015, President Trump has said that if he got the opportunity to choose a Supreme Court Justice he would choose one who will overturn Roe V. Wade. The signers of the open letter believe Roe V. Wade to be settled law and are strongly against any reversal of the 1973 landmark case.
“Overturning that decision would endanger the lives of countless people who need or may need abortions — including many who sign this letter. Trump’s nomination of Judge Kavanaugh is a reliable way to fulfill his oath.”
Just 3 days ago, the university posted a press release in support of the Yale alumni turned Supreme Court nominee.
“I have known Brett Kavanaugh for many years,” said Dean Heather K. Gerken. “I can personally attest that, in addition to his government and judicial service, Judge Kavanaugh has been a longtime friend to many of us in the Yale Law School community. Ever since I joined the faculty, I have admired him for serving as a teacher and mentor to our students and for hiring a diverse set of clerks, in all respects, during his time on the court.”
Republicans in Congress are looking to push Kavanaugh through the confirmation process as quickly as possible in a race against the 2018 mid-term elections in November.
Should Kavanaugh not get confirmed before midterms, Democrats in Congress have the opportunity to gain the majority in the Senate after elections thus allowing them to have more control over Trump’s next Supreme Court nominee.
