WASHINGTON, D.C. — Judge Brett Kavanaugh entered the third day of hearings to be confirmed as an associate justice on the Supreme Court. The first two days of hearings have not exactly gone over smoothly and Kavanaugh has faced some serious grilling, particularly at the hands of Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Sen. Kamala Harris, a California Democrat, asked Kavanaugh a question at Wednesday’s hearing that left the judge stumped.
“Judge, have you ever discussed Special Counsel Mueller or his investigation with anyone?” Harris asked, referring to the probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election, which includes an investigation into whether any members of President Trump’s campaign worked in collusion with the Russians.
Kavanaugh responded that it’s in the news every day and he has discussed it with other judges.
“Have you discussed Mueller or his investigation with anyone at Kasowitz, Benson and Torres, the law firm founded by Marc Kasowitz, President Trump’s personal lawyer?” Harris followed.
Kavanaugh stumbled before Harris warned him to be certain of his answer. She again stated her question when Kavanaugh failed to answer.
“Well, is there a person you’re talking about?” Kavanaugh asked.
“I’m asking you a very direct question, yes or no?” Harris countered.
After some more back and forth, Kavanaugh said he would like to know the person Harris was thinking of.
“I think you’re thinking of someone and you don’t want to tell us,” Harris responded.
Kavanaugh ultimately didn’t give an answer but said he was trying to be careful in his answer and would need to see a roster of everyone who works at the law firm.
You can see the full exchange below:
The exchange led to much speculation about what exactly Harris was referring to.
According to Politico, a Democratic aide said some in the party have reason to believe such a conversation may have happened.
At Thursday’s hearing, Kavanaugh offered a more direct answer to that line of questioning.
You can watch Thursday’s hearing live below:
Photo: WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 05: Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) questions Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh during the second day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill September 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. Kavanaugh was nominated by President Donald Trump to fill the vacancy on the court left by retiring Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy. Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images News/Getty Images