Brett Kavanaugh was quickly sworn in as a Supreme Court justice on Saturday night soon after the bitterly polarised Senate confirmed him by two votes.
His confirmation tilts the bench decisively to the Right, handing Donald Trump a major political victory after a battle that exposed America's cultural, gender and political divides.
He was sworn in during a private ceremony at the court building, even as protesters tried to storm its doors.
Earlier the US senate voted 50 to 48 to confirm his nomination, ending one of the most bitter confirmation processes in recent US history after Mr Kavanaugh had been accused of sexual misconduct by three women, which he categorically denied. Two senators, one on each side of the debate, agreed to sit out the vote because of a schedule clash.
There is now a majority of conservative judges on the Supreme Court - something Republicans have sought for decades. Mr Kavanaugh, 53, will be appointed for life.
It could have a profound impact on US society for decades, potentially influencing where the court comes down on issues such as gay rights and abortion.
Republicans Jeff Flake of Arizona and Susan Collins of Maine and a single Democrat – Joe Manchin of West Virginia – voted yes in the end after weeks of wavering.
One Republican senator, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, had announced she would vote no. But she was one of the two senators who did not cast a vote for either side, helping out a colleague who needed to attend his daughter's wedding.
Female protesters outside of the Supreme Court were seen crying and hugging each other in consolation as news of the final result filtered out. However Republicans were jubilant.
Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate, said after the vote passed: "This is a good day for America and an important day for the Senate. We stood up for the presumption of innocence.
"We refused to be intimidated by the mob of people who were coming after Republican members in their homes, in the halls."
On Saturday afternoon, protesters had descended on Capitol Hill in a last-minute attempt to sway senators not to confirm Mr Kavanaugh.
Pumping their fists and carrying signs, a few hundred people climbed the east steps of the Capitol for the demonstration chanting "November is coming!" and "vote them out!"
A much larger crowd of protesters watched on from behind a barricade. In between, a line of Capitol police officers stood with plastic handcuffs clipped to their belts.
On Friday, a handful of senators who had been wavering for weeks on a decision made announcements on what they would do in the final, binding vote.
Mr Flake, who had delayed the vote by a week over his demand for an FBI investigation, was first, telling reporters that he would back Mr Kavanaugh “unless something big change”.
Then came Ms Collins, who spoke for more than 40 minutes from the Senate floor explaining her decision in an address that was 4,000 words long.
“Certain fundamental legal principles - about due process, the presumption of innocence, and fairness - do bear on my thinking, and I cannot abandon them,” Ms Collins said.
Ms Collins said that “we will be ill served in the long run if we abandon the presumption of innocence and fairness”, eventually ending with the words: “Mr. President, I will vote to confirm Judge Kavanaugh.”
Minutes later Mr Manchin, who faces a tough battle for re-election next month in a state won comfortably by Mr Trump in 2016, released a statement saying he would also vote yes.
Speaking to reporters as protesters shouted chants against his decision, Mr Manchin said: “I had to deal with the facts I had in front of me.”
So that's it. Brett Kavanaugh was quickly sworn in during a private ceremony - with Chief Justice John Roberts presiding - at the Supreme Court building, across the street from the Capitol, even as protesters chanted outside.
Protesters started the afternoon focussed on the Senate, where the confirmation vote was taking place. They are now pushing up to the entrance of the Supreme Court.
Claire Cohen, our Women's Editor, has this on why women are so angry at the outcome of this struggle:
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| Brett Kavanaugh is sworn in as a Supreme Court justice with his wife Ashley and daughters. Chief Justice John Roberts administers the oath |
His confirmation tilts the bench decisively to the Right, handing Donald Trump a major political victory after a battle that exposed America's cultural, gender and political divides.
He was sworn in during a private ceremony at the court building, even as protesters tried to storm its doors.
Earlier the US senate voted 50 to 48 to confirm his nomination, ending one of the most bitter confirmation processes in recent US history after Mr Kavanaugh had been accused of sexual misconduct by three women, which he categorically denied. Two senators, one on each side of the debate, agreed to sit out the vote because of a schedule clash.
There is now a majority of conservative judges on the Supreme Court - something Republicans have sought for decades. Mr Kavanaugh, 53, will be appointed for life.
It could have a profound impact on US society for decades, potentially influencing where the court comes down on issues such as gay rights and abortion.
Republicans Jeff Flake of Arizona and Susan Collins of Maine and a single Democrat – Joe Manchin of West Virginia – voted yes in the end after weeks of wavering.
 |
| Protesters at the doors of the Supreme Court as Mr Kavanaugh was sworn in |
One Republican senator, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, had announced she would vote no. But she was one of the two senators who did not cast a vote for either side, helping out a colleague who needed to attend his daughter's wedding.
Female protesters outside of the Supreme Court were seen crying and hugging each other in consolation as news of the final result filtered out. However Republicans were jubilant.
Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate, said after the vote passed: "This is a good day for America and an important day for the Senate. We stood up for the presumption of innocence.
"We refused to be intimidated by the mob of people who were coming after Republican members in their homes, in the halls."
I applaud and congratulate the U.S. Senate for confirming our GREAT NOMINEE, Judge Brett Kavanaugh, to the United States Supreme Court. Later today, I will sign his Commission of Appointment, and he will be officially sworn in. Very exciting!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 6, 2018
On Saturday afternoon, protesters had descended on Capitol Hill in a last-minute attempt to sway senators not to confirm Mr Kavanaugh.
Pumping their fists and carrying signs, a few hundred people climbed the east steps of the Capitol for the demonstration chanting "November is coming!" and "vote them out!"
A much larger crowd of protesters watched on from behind a barricade. In between, a line of Capitol police officers stood with plastic handcuffs clipped to their belts.
On Friday, a handful of senators who had been wavering for weeks on a decision made announcements on what they would do in the final, binding vote.
Mr Flake, who had delayed the vote by a week over his demand for an FBI investigation, was first, telling reporters that he would back Mr Kavanaugh “unless something big change”.
Then came Ms Collins, who spoke for more than 40 minutes from the Senate floor explaining her decision in an address that was 4,000 words long.
“Certain fundamental legal principles - about due process, the presumption of innocence, and fairness - do bear on my thinking, and I cannot abandon them,” Ms Collins said.
Ms Collins said that “we will be ill served in the long run if we abandon the presumption of innocence and fairness”, eventually ending with the words: “Mr. President, I will vote to confirm Judge Kavanaugh.”
Minutes later Mr Manchin, who faces a tough battle for re-election next month in a state won comfortably by Mr Trump in 2016, released a statement saying he would also vote yes.
Speaking to reporters as protesters shouted chants against his decision, Mr Manchin said: “I had to deal with the facts I had in front of me.”
So that's it. Brett Kavanaugh was quickly sworn in during a private ceremony - with Chief Justice John Roberts presiding - at the Supreme Court building, across the street from the Capitol, even as protesters chanted outside.
Protesters started the afternoon focussed on the Senate, where the confirmation vote was taking place. They are now pushing up to the entrance of the Supreme Court.
Claire Cohen, our Women's Editor, has this on why women are so angry at the outcome of this struggle:
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