The final vote on Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court was interrupted by shouts from protestors in the gallery.
It was difficult to make out what they were saying, but they shouted for several minutes as Vice President Mike Pence, presiding over the vote, used his gavel and repeatedly said, “The sergeant at arms will restore order in the gallery.”
“I do not consent,” some protestors called out. At least one woman chanted, “Shame, shame, shame,” near the end of the voting.
The role of the sergeant at arms is to maintain security and enforce Senate rules.
Another protestor yelled out as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced the outcome, and Pence repeated again: “The sergeant at arms will restore order in the gallery.”
The shouts were extremely unusual on the Senate floor — where representatives aspire to decorum and respect — and underscored the intense emotion around Kavanaugh’s confirmation. In the long run, their protest made no difference, as Kavanaugh was confirmed by a vote of 50-48.
“Later today, I will sign his Commission of Appointment, and he will be officially sworn in,” President Trump tweeted.
The vote came after three women stepped forward with accusations of sexual misconduct against Kavanaugh, including Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, who testified before the Senate Judicial Committee last week. Kavanaugh testified immediately afterwards, becoming teary and emotional while denying all accusations. His critics said he was unfit for a lifetime position on the Supreme Court and later complained that the FBI took less than a week to investigate the accusations.
But Kavanaugh’s supporters, including President Trump, said he was treated unfairly and held to an impossibly high standard. McConnell praised Kavanaugh and decried the criticisms against him, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer encouraged people angry at Kavanaugh’s confirmation to vote.