Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

BeckyDem

(8,361 posts)
Sat Oct 6, 2018, 11:20 AM Oct 2018

Merrick Garland Has Recused Himself From The Ethics Complaints Against Brett Kavanaugh

Multiple ethics complaints have been filed against Kavanaugh, including about his heated Senate testimony last week.

Chief Judge Merrick Garland disqualified himself from handling ethics complaints against US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit announced Saturday morning.

The statement did not explain why Garland — whose own nomination to the Supreme Court in 2016 was unsuccessful after Republicans refused to act on it — had decided to step aside, or provide an update on the status of the complaints.

Multiple ethics complaints have been filed against Kavanaugh in his current court, the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, about his testimony in recent weeks in the US Senate and his response to allegations of sexual misconduct. The chief judge of the circuit normally handles ethics cases, but they have discretion to step aside if they conclude “circumstances warrant disqualification,” under the federal judiciary’s rules.

If the chief judge is disqualified, the complaint falls to the next most senior judge of the court, in this case Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson, who issued Saturday’s statement. The fact that the statement came from the DC Circuit suggests it hasn’t been transferred to another circuit.

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/zoetillman/merrick-garland-has-recused-himself-from-the-ethics

19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Merrick Garland Has Recused Himself From The Ethics Complaints Against Brett Kavanaugh (Original Post) BeckyDem Oct 2018 OP
Of course he has. shanny Oct 2018 #1
Merrick Garland is a mensch. He did the ethical thing. DemocratSinceBirth Oct 2018 #2
It was obvious he did it because he is an ethical man. BeckyDem Oct 2018 #5
Trump will call him weak, as he did Al Franken. Marcuse Oct 2018 #10
Yea, there is no question there is an audience that loves authoritarian BeckyDem Oct 2018 #11
Garland Does The Right Thing - An Honorable Man.... global1 Oct 2018 #3
As a note BumRushDaShow Oct 2018 #4
Totally agree with post #3. 3catwoman3 Oct 2018 #6
+1 BeckyDem Oct 2018 #7
Interesting question for you FBaggins Oct 2018 #15
Didn't McConnell tell him... 3catwoman3 Oct 2018 #16
Nope. It was because he backed Garland for SCOTUS when Obama nominated him FBaggins Oct 2018 #17
I despise Mitch McConnell with... 3catwoman3 Oct 2018 #19
That's what integrity looks like.nt procon Oct 2018 #8
Aw, shucks, a bad day for karma. malthaussen Oct 2018 #9
Judge Garland has integrity. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2018 #12
I believe he would rule fairly, but the mere appearance calls for recusal. UTUSN Oct 2018 #13
Which is what evidently concerns him. BeckyDem Oct 2018 #14
Garland may have been asked dweller Oct 2018 #18

DemocratSinceBirth

(99,710 posts)
2. Merrick Garland is a mensch. He did the ethical thing.
Sat Oct 6, 2018, 11:23 AM
Oct 2018

I have become so cynical that I'm not convinced we are well served by that predisposition.

BeckyDem

(8,361 posts)
11. Yea, there is no question there is an audience that loves authoritarian
Sat Oct 6, 2018, 11:48 AM
Oct 2018

bullies. And the end always justifies the means fits with his base too. Murkowski, has Trump gone after her yet?

global1

(25,259 posts)
3. Garland Does The Right Thing - An Honorable Man....
Sat Oct 6, 2018, 11:24 AM
Oct 2018

I have to believe if the shoe were on the other foot - this would have played out differently and there would be no recusal.

When they go low - we go high!!!!!

BumRushDaShow

(129,202 posts)
4. As a note
Sat Oct 6, 2018, 11:24 AM
Oct 2018

The D.C. Circuit has been 7 Democratic appointees and 4 (now 3) Republican appointees.

Edit to add this -

The federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. is another where the balance of power has been flipped. Often known in legal circles as the second highest court in the land because it hears important cases concerning the federal government, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit was dominated by conservatives 6-3 when Obama took office.

Obama was able to force through four appointments after a major showdown in the Senate. The court now has a 7-4 split in favor of Democratic appointees.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-court-obama/obamas-judges-leave-liberal-imprint-on-u-s-law-idUSKCN1110BC

3catwoman3

(24,017 posts)
6. Totally agree with post #3.
Sat Oct 6, 2018, 11:28 AM
Oct 2018

Kavanaugh has no honor and would happily sit in judgement of the man who SHOULD have been on the court for the last 2 years.

FBaggins

(26,753 posts)
15. Interesting question for you
Sat Oct 6, 2018, 12:42 PM
Oct 2018

Do you know why Kavanaugh didn’t make Trump’s original “list” ?

3catwoman3

(24,017 posts)
16. Didn't McConnell tell him...
Sat Oct 6, 2018, 01:06 PM
Oct 2018

...to pick anybody but Kavanaugh? Don't have time to research it right now.

3catwoman3

(24,017 posts)
19. I despise Mitch McConnell with...
Sat Oct 6, 2018, 01:44 PM
Oct 2018

...every molecule, proton, neutron, electron and subatomic particle in my body. He is evil personified.

malthaussen

(17,209 posts)
9. Aw, shucks, a bad day for karma.
Sat Oct 6, 2018, 11:40 AM
Oct 2018

I suppose we can wonder if Mr Garland is being a little too careful, but he's the man on the spot.

-- Mal

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Merrick Garland Has Recus...