Staff Ed: Kavanaugh allegations must be taken seriously
2 min read
Lauren Brumfield | The Blue & Gray Press
By THE BLUE AND GRAY EDITORIAL BOARD
On Monday July, 9, President Trump nominated Judge Brett Kavanaugh to fill the empty Supreme Court seat of retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy. In the weeks that followed, this nomination instigated not only a political whirlwind but also an unexpected ethical debate.
In a series of events that are still progressing, three individuals have come forward with claims of sexual assault on Kavanaugh’s end.
First, in a letter that she initially sent to Senator Dianne Feinstein, Dr. Christine Ford alleged that Kavanaugh pinned her down and tried to take her clothes off at a high school party.
The second accuser, Deborah Ramirez, attended Yale University with Kavanaugh. According to a USA Today article, she states that during the 1983-84 school year he exposed himself to her at a dormitory party and thrust his penis in her face.
The third woman, Julie Swetnick, came forward with her statements on September, 25. Swetnick said she witnessed Kavanaugh drunk on various occasions at high school parties, where he proceeded to take part in engaging in verbal and physical abuse towards females. She stated that in approximately 1982, she was drugged and a victim of a gang rape at one of these parties and that Kavanaugh was in attendance when this assault occurred. Kavanaugh has categorically denied all charges.
As new information continues to come to light, and the investigation and nomination processes advance, the editorial staff at the Blue & Gray Press supports an FBI investigation of Brett Kavanaugh and hopes he ultimately withdraws his name from consideration. We should not reward sexual assault with a position on the highest court in the land and a lifetime power to dictate policy. We believe Dr. Christine Ford, Deborah Ramirez, and Julie Swetnick, and we stand with all victims of assault.
