Brett Kavanaugh's terrible non-apology reminded experts of the language of abuse
The Wall Street Journal published an opinion piece from Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh Thursday night, hours before the Senate voted to advance his confirmation.
In the column, titled “I Am an Independent, Impartial Judge,” Kavanaugh offered a watered-down non-apology for his behavior at a hearing last week to address several sexual assault allegations against him, and argued that he was “independent” and non-partisan.
“I was very emotional last Thursday, more so than I have ever been. I might have been too emotional at times,” Kavanaugh wrote, referring to his many outbursts at Senate Democrats, who he claimed — without proof — were coordinating a smear campaign against him, in league with the Clintons.
“I know that my tone was sharp, and I said a few things I should not have said,” he continued. “I hope everyone can understand that I was there as a son, husband and dad. I testified with five people foremost in my mind: my mom, my dad, my wife, and most of all my daughters.”
Kavanaugh added that his time in high school and college had been “ridiculously distorted” by the press and Democrats, and said his wife and daughters had faced “vile and violent threats” as a result. He promised to “continue to contribute to our country as a coach, volunteer, and teacher.”
“Every day I will try to be the best husband, dad, and friend I can be,” he wrote.
To many experts, those words mirrored the language often used by abusers.
Nicole Bedera, a researcher at the University of Michigan studying sexual violence and masculinity, told ThinkProgress the column read to her like a classic abuser apology. When abusers apologize, Bedera said, they make victims feel as if everything is their fault, rather than taking any blame themselves.
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