Judge Kavanaugh’s Potential Impact on the Supreme Court

Justice Kennedy’s retirement may open the door for Judge Kavanaugh

Justice Anthony M. Kennedy is set to retire. He has been known to be a “swing” vote on numerous controversial issues. Appointed by President Ronald Reagan, Kennedy has earned a reputation as a moderate. This is all thanks to his willingness to join the court’s more liberal-leaning wing in important rulings on gay rights, abortion, affirmative action, and some criminal-justice issues. This track record has led many to see him as a crucial bulwark against the court’s growing ideological polarization. All of this will likely be changing, however.

Judge Kavanaugh can shape the Supreme Court for years to come.

If confirmed, Judge Kavanaugh would cement a conservative hold on the court. This will end up changing the tide of future judicial decisions in the Supreme Court for possibly a whole generation.  After president Trump announced Kavanaugh as his nominee for the Supreme Court, he summed up his political philosophy by stating that, “A judge must be independent and must interpret the law, not make the law.”. His stance is antithetical to what many call “Judicial Activism” in the Court and will likely lead to major disagreements on numerous legal issues with those on the court who generally are known to have less “conservative” views of the law.

What can we expect from Kavanough?

During Kavanough’s 12 years on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, he has issued some 300 opinions that reflect his reputation as a solid and careful judge. His record suggests he will bolster conservative pressure on matters including:

• the pro-business leaning on the court
• efforts to strip power from regulatory agencies
• gun rights
• abortion laws in states

What impact he has remains to be seen.  One thing is for certain, however, if nominated, Kavanough will provide the Supreme Court with conservative weight for decades to come.