Brett Kavanaugh won’t be teaching at Harvard Law School anymore, too bad

U.S. Supreme Court nominee Kavanaugh testifies before a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington

Before the watershed Ford-Kavanaugh hearings last week, Brett Kavanaugh’s previous Senate Judiciary Committee hearings were pretty stupid. He kept trotting out the fact that he coaches girls basketball, and he was physically and vocally surrounding himself with women throughout. He even tried to use the women in his professional and personal life as human deflection shields in last week’s hearing too – he went on and on about how he surrounds himself with female clerks and interns, like no one would make the association that he can only be around A) little girls, B) women he’s related to by blood or marriage, and C) younger women in submissive or subservient roles. In addition to coaching girls basketball (shudder), Kavanaugh also taught at Harvard Law School. Past tense. Because they don’t want him back, but they let him save face by acting like he quit.

In addition to losing endorsements and supporters, Trump’s embattled Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has one less job. Kavanaugh, who made a fiery testimony in hopes of securing one of the most powerful unelected jobs in government, will not return to teach at Harvard Law School after lecturing for a decade, according to the university’s newspaper The Crimson.

In an email sent to students on Monday, Associate Dean and Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs Catherine Claypoole confirmed, “Today, Judge Kavanaugh indicated that he can no longer commit to teaching his course in January Term 2019, so the course will not be offered.” Kavanaugh, 53, was scheduled to teach a course titled “The Supreme Court since 2005” during the winter 2019 term.

Harvard Law School students previously called for their school to bar Kavanaugh from teaching pending a “full and fair investigation” of his sexual misconduct allegations, according to The Crimson. “The Undergraduate Council stands in solidarity with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Deborah Ramirez, Julie Swetnick, and all survivors of sexual violence,” a letter from the student body read. “We also stand with members of Harvard Law School who request a full and fair investigation into allegations against Judge Kavanaugh before he is allowed back on campus to teach.”

[From People]

My guess is that the Dean spoke to Kavanaugh and it truly was a mutual decision: Harvard Law didn’t want to invite a sh-tstorm with their students and Kavanaugh didn’t want the additional drama. And maybe someone can point out that none of this was ever a good look for him? He’s an overgrown alcoholic frat boy with an alleged history of violence and he’s spent much of the past two decades purposefully surrounding himself with teenage girls and women in their early 20s. This should have been a red flag even before Christine Blasey Ford came forward.

U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh testifies at Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red and Backgrid.

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

61 Responses to “Brett Kavanaugh won’t be teaching at Harvard Law School anymore, too bad”

Comments are Closed

We close comments on older posts to fight comment spam.

  1. Pandy says:

    Wa waaaaah …..

    • Jan90067 says:

      Ha! That’s what I tweeted yesterday when I saw the breaking news. Karma’s a bitch, ain’t it Breitbart…I mean Brett.

      Anyone know, is his Federal Judgeship an elected or selected position? Because if he has to run for his bench, I’d LOVE to see him out on his a$$ for that, too!

      The only ones I feel for are his little girls, who will grow up knowing what their dad did, and with their friends and their parents always “knowing” what a POS their dad is.

      • Lightpurple says:

        Federal judgeships are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

      • Oh-Dear says:

        I don’t think this behaviour or surprising or problematic to the circle he runs in. Just watch the CNN (?) segment on Republican women he said his behaviour was just what they expected of college boys.
        If they are typical of that social set, as long as they are still involved in the social circle, they won’t be phased. And their daughters will be taught to turn a blind eye to their future spouse’s bad behaviour if it means maintaining status.

      • holly hobby says:

        He’s an article III judge so he has lifetime appointment at the circuit level too.

  2. jessamine says:

    Unfortunately, the wording of his resignation email makes me think HE thinks he’s quitting because he’s gonna be SCOTUS.

    • Esmom says:

      Yeah, which is why I didn’t take any hope from this when I heard it last night. But maybe Kaiser’s right and they’re just letting him save face.

      I love that both Harvard and Yale law students want nothing to do with him.

      • jessamine says:

        At this point you have to wonder what his personal calculus is — SCOTUS confirmation or not he is personally/professionally disgraced for life.

      • Esmom says:

        I know, right? No middle ground for ol’ Brett.

      • Tosca says:

        I am heartened by the fact that the students spoke up. Law schools are still mostly boys’ clubs – we desperately need more amazing women professors and Deans!

    • Becks1 says:

      But he could be a justice and still teach a course or two, or be a guest lecturer or something.

    • NotSoSocialButterfly says:

      That’s exactly it. He is so arrogant and corrupt, that he expects to be seated.

    • Jan90067 says:

      Read Seth Abramson’s Twitter feed. He totally lays out the perjury re: Ramirez, among other things. And Flake and Coons are on record (as is even Graham) saying if there is “proof of perjury” it will be a no-go. Texts were found that show KavaNOPE and his friends were going back and forth as early as June/July about her, and he claimed not to know anything about her and her claims “until The New Yorker article came out” which was Sept.

      Also the lie about how he “worked his butt off to get into Yale”; he “did it on his own”… yeah.. bullsh!t to that, too. He’s a legacy. They published a page showing his grandfather went graduated from there.

      Anyway, he lays it all out much better than I. Check it out.

      • jessamine says:

        I will! But honestly the FBI investigation will have to turn up something damning beyond belief like he once got so drunk he publicly declared women should have the right to choose before anyone is going to break party ranks on this vote.

  3. meh says:

    the worlds smallest violin is playin somewhere……softly.

  4. BaBaDook says:

    *Nelson Muntz voice* “haw – haw”

  5. Maria says:

    I bet it was a mutual decision. “We don’t think it would be appropriate for you to teach the course since you are nothing but a lying drunk. ” “yeah I was going to call you about that. Don’t have time. Busy trying to get my classmates at Yale to testify to my outstanding character, having a bit of trouble actually…”

  6. Swack says:

    Would he even have had time to teach a class if he would be (hopefully not) appointed to the SC? I’m surprised once he was picked to be on SCOTUS they didn’t shut down the class or get a different teacher.

    • jwoolman says:

      Well, even if Kavanaugh wasn’t a liar and a drunk and a sexual predator – he wouldn’t have quit that job until he was actually confirmed. It sounds like a course that is not embedded in the curriculum but just tailored to his interests, if they don’t intend to get someone else to teach it.

  7. Lala11_7 says:

    No matter…WHAT HAPPENS…

    One of the brightest feathers in Kavanaugh’s caps…are his alliances to Harvard/Yale….those relationships are TRASHED! Even if he gets to be SCOTUS…(which I think will happen) his reputation has been so devalued and so tainted…that people will want to stay away…period…

    And for a man like him…..THAT HURTS…

    So I take a small bit of comfort in that truth….

    • homeslice says:

      Yes, I have heard over these past couple of weeks that Justice Roberts is not pleased…I can only imagine how Ginsburg, Kagan and Sotomayor feel.

      • Oh-Dear says:

        Ginsburg has already said she is disappointed in how this has gone, because it should be non-partisan.

  8. Dana marie says:

    He is way too much drama. It makes sense to move on to the next pick on the list. Any employer would pass on him based on all the allegations. Women would feel uncomfortable working along side him. What company would want him as a liability? Ask any HR professional.

    • jwoolman says:

      An easy out for him would be that his family needed him. I’m really surprised that he didn’t do that long ago. He must have been really sure the Republicans would keep a tight lid on everything.

      Of course, I’m surprised Trump didn’t nominate that Fox News lunatic Judge Jeanine Pirro… Maybe he will. He wants protection from Mueller and that NY state
      Attorney General.

      • Jan90067 says:

        She just barely escaped going to jail over tax fraud (her (now) ex-husband did time for it. Don’t think she’d get far (thank God!). She’s a rabid maniac!

    • homeslice says:

      I can’t believe they are sticking with this stinkin fish. That fact alone is alarming! What is it about THIS guy that they desperately need??? I would bet a lot that the FBI turned up dirt on this dude and it was suppressed. I am praying hard that the agents who really admired Comey and are pissed about his ousting are working “extra” hard on this new investigation…

      • kali971 says:

        Besides Roe v Wade (gotta control those lady parts- he testified that birth control=abortion!), they are sticking with him bc KavaNOPE is on the record that Presidents can’t be investigated/indicted (unless they are Bill Clinton)…the GOP wants him on SCOTUS to stop Mueller fr indicting drumpf. Also, there is a case coming this term (started yday) that would take away state’s ability to prosecute those who have received a Presidential pardon (Gamble v US)- KavaNOPE is a human shield for Putin’s puppet & all those who enable/crime with him. SOOOOoo many GOPers have taken Russian/NRA $$…ugh…I think KavaNOPE is financially compromised as well- all those mysterious debts paid off- follow $$ ALWAYS. FInally, this is a job interview- you couldn’t be hired at McDonalds if you lied, screamed, bullied & hid 96% of your records- more ughhhhh

  9. Beth says:

    If he’s not voted in to the Supreme Court, his career is finished. Done. Who would think that being nominated for such an important, lifelong job would end up ruining a career? Get that filthy scumbag out of here and find someone who’s good for the job.
    Womp womp…..

    • Esmom says:

      I know, right? He could have played this all so very differently and managed to cobble together some sort of redemption narrative. But that is not Trump’s way, so it wasn’t his way.

      I do wonder if his nomination tanks if he will eventually show some humility and go on a redemption tour. Or if he’ll just defiantly declare his innocence forever.

    • Chaine says:

      I don’t know why his career would be finished. He already has a lifetime appointment as a federal judge. He would have to be impeached by 2/3 of the senate to be removed from his current job. So, unfortunately, even if he doesn’t get on the Supreme Court, our tax dollars will be subsidizing him for decades to come.

      • Original T.C. says:

        Yeah Unfortunately only Democrats can be shamed into retirement from public life. Republicans come back with a new role and stay supported by big money donors and extreme conservatives. Just say you are pro-life and attack Democrats. The only major consequence that would hurt him is getting his law license revoked for perjury.

        P.S. actually the only way to be kicked out of the Republican country club for life is men caught having sex with *boys*. Homophobia for life.

    • jwoolman says:

      This is the Trumpian Curse. Remember the White House physician? Once he got entangled with Trump, he was toast.

      Look at all the Cabinet members sullied by working The Donald. Like Trump himself, they could have easily continued to be unethical without anybody noticing until they arrived in the White House. The election of a grifter and a con man and a wannabe mob boss must have turned off that nagging little voice saying “take the money and run but keep a low profile”.

      Even if the Republicans cave and confirm Kavanaugh, his reputation is toasted extra crispy by his own behavior in the hearings. Perjury is not acceptable for a lawyer or a judge and he has lied a lot and it’s checkable. And his accusers of sexual assault and poor behavior are very credible, despite the active smear campaign against them on the net and coming out of President Tweeter’s mouth and typing fingers. The Republicans may vote for him, but most people will always believe that the accusations are true based on his and the Republicans’ actions.

      • Becks1 says:

        Hell look at Manafort. Had he never worked for Trump, he prob would have gotten away with all his money laundering etc. Or at least gotten away with it for longer. In general, all the shady business dealings of the Trump family are being made public and it has to piss them all off that had he never been elected, they could have just kept on……being shady.

    • Veronica S. says:

      I doubt it would ruin his lifelong career because white men are always given second chances, but his political aspirations would definitely be kaput.

    • Lightpurple says:

      His career is absolutely NOT ruined.. He is still a sitting judge on a federal Appeals Court.

      • Esmom says:

        Agreed. I think it’s probably more accurate to say his reputation is ruined. But even that won’t matter in some circles.

      • holly hobby says:

        Except someone filed an ethics challenge against him at the Circuit Court. That case is being overseen by one Merrick Garland. The irony in this does not escape me.

  10. Lightpurple says:

    I feel safer knowing this violent drunk won’t be wandering around Cambridge

    • Esmom says:

      I wouldn’t want my streets sullied by his presence. I wonder what his students thought about him? I can’t even imagine what his lectures were about.

  11. Cay says:

    Why would he teach at Harvard when he’s already told us Yale is the #1 law school in the country?

  12. Lucy says:

    Thoughts and prayers to Bart O’Kavanugh

  13. Miss Grace Jones says:

    All I know is, that I’ve seen a lot of white men online comparing what Kavanaugh is going through to a lynching and the first person to do that to my face is getting spit on, on my behalf of my great grandmother who is just turned 100 who was actually 37 when they killed Emmett Till. Her and her kids and grandchildren lived through actual lynchings and I’m dead ass spitting in the face of any white who finds this comparable.

    • Alarmjaguar says:

      Good lord! And yes, to everything you wrote

    • Veronica S. says:

      Honestly, all this has done is really reveal how entitled white men are in this country, with white women not far behind them. His behavior would be deemed absolutely unacceptable for anybody else in his position. They literally think having consequences to their behavior is oppression.

  14. homeslice says:

    Whomp whomp. You know the republicans are the ones who ruined this guy (besides his own stupid self). If they did a better job vetting (and I believe they supressed info they had on him), they could have dropped him from the list quietly and no one would have cared. He could have stayed on the bench etc. This party’s hubris will be their downfall.

    • Becks1 says:

      Yup. Someone (a podcast? an article? I cant remember ha) yesterday pointed out that having the background checks doesn’t mean there was nothing there. It meant the Bush administration didn’t care about what was on there. Those past investigations very well could have turned up something about anger issues, drinking issues, etc.

      • homeslice says:

        Yep. The FBI only files reports. It’s up to the entity doing the vetting to decide what to do with them. When I hear that Don McGann, the top guy in the administration is actively promoting Kavanope on the inside and is the one who will receive the reports on him…no, that’s not problematic at all!!

    • Veronica S. says:

      I said this on another thread – people with skeletons in their closet shouldn’t invite others into their home. Good people don’t worry about background checks because there’s nothing to worry about. Kavanaugh is just one of those men entitled enough to believe nothing he ever did would come back on him.

  15. Tina says:

    It seems clear to me that it has to be this judge because this judge has been “convinced” to vote the right way on upcoming cases. Debts paid off, slate wiped clean. Other conservative judges don’t necessarily have the leverage over them to ensure that the desired outcome would be reached.

  16. Oh-Dear says:

    THere is a a great twitter feed on Kavanagh’s body language by a body language expert Dr. Jack Brown @DrGJackBrown

  17. Crassino Royale says:

    I read in several news outlets that Bread made sure his clerks were women and that the Harvard professor who coached young women to fill in those positions instructed them to dress and look attractive in order to secure those jobs. In short: Skirts and heels. And good looks. This is suspect AF. And yeah, agreed: The moment he uttered the words “I coach girls”….girl, I was like, the F You Did! Oh No. NOOOOOO. UGH.

    • holly hobby says:

      Judges and law clerks often gather together for reunions such as holiday parties etc. I bet if someone can find a photo of Ole Brett with his law clerks we can confirm he only likes model clerks.

  18. Kath says:

    That was a Yale professor, not Harvard, and was none other than Amy “Tiger Mom” Chua, whose husband is also being investigated for his behaviour around female students.