Challenges in the Life of Brett Kavanaugh in a Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Brett Kavanaugh's life and career.

Brett Kavanaugh is an American lawyer and jurist who currently serves as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Nominated by President Donald Trump, he assumed the role on October 6, 2018. Prior to his Supreme Court appointment, Kavanaugh served as a U.S. circuit judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 2006 to 2018.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1981: Swetnick attended parties

Julie Swetnick described attending "well over ten house parties in the Washington, D.C. area during the years 1981–1983 where Mark Judge and Brett Kavanaugh were present".

1983: Ramirez Allegation

During the 1983-84 academic year, Deborah Ramirez alleged that Brett Kavanaugh exposed himself and thrust his penis against her face during a college party. Kavanaugh denied this event ever happened.

1983: Swetnick attended parties

Julie Swetnick described attending "well over ten house parties in the Washington, D.C. area during the years 1981–1983 where Mark Judge and Brett Kavanaugh were present".

1992: Interviewed for Clerkship with Chief Justice Rehnquist

In 1992, Brett Kavanaugh interviewed for a clerkship with Chief Justice William Rehnquist of the U.S. Supreme Court, but was not offered the position.

1998: Arguing Before the Supreme Court

In 1998, Brett Kavanaugh argued his first and only case before the Supreme Court in Swidler & Berlin v. United States, representing Starr's office.

July 25, 2003: Nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals

On July 25, 2003, President George W. Bush nominated Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, but the nomination stalled in the Senate.

2003: Nomination to U.S. Court of Appeals

In 2003, President George W. Bush nominated Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, leading to contentious confirmation hearings.

May 2006: Confirmation to D.C. Circuit

In May 2006, Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed to the D.C. Circuit after contentious confirmation hearings.

2006: Downgraded ABA Rating

In 2006, the American Bar Association downgraded Kavanaugh's rating from "well qualified" to "qualified".

July 2007: Accusations of Lying to Judiciary Committee

In July 2007, senators Patrick Leahy and Dick Durbin accused Brett Kavanaugh of lying to the Judiciary Committee about his involvement in formulating the Bush administration's detention and interrogation policies.

July 2018: Detention and Interrogation Policies Reemerge

In July 2018, the issue of Brett Kavanaugh's involvement in the Bush administration's detention and interrogation policies reemerged after his nomination to the Supreme Court.

July 2018: Kavanaugh on Supreme Court Nominee Shortlist

In early July 2018, Kavanaugh's name appeared on a shortlist of nominees for the Supreme Court. Also in July 2018, Christine Blasey Ford accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault.

July 30, 2018: Ford informs Senator Feinstein of accusation

On July 30, 2018, Christine Blasey Ford wrote to Senator Dianne Feinstein to inform her of her accusation against Kavanaugh, requesting that it be kept confidential.

September 23, 2018: Another sexual assault allegation against Kavanaugh

On September 23, 2018, The New Yorker published an article with another sexual assault allegation against Kavanaugh. Deborah Ramirez alleged Kavanaugh exposed himself to her and thrust his penis against her face after they had both been drinking at a college party during the 1983–84 academic year.

October 4, 2018: White House Announces No Corroboration of Ford's Allegation

On October 4, 2018, the White House announced that it had found no corroboration of Ford's allegation after reviewing the FBI's latest probe into Kavanaugh's past. Ford's attorneys responded that those directing the FBI investigation were not interested in seeking the truth.

December 2018: Ethics Complaints Dismissed

In December 2018, a special federal panel dismissed all 83 ethics complaints against Kavanaugh regarding his conduct during his Supreme Court confirmation hearings, citing a lack of authority to investigate Supreme Court justices.

September 2019: Publication of "The Education of Brett Kavanaugh: An Investigation"

In September 2019, The New York Times reporters Kate Kelly and Robin Pogrebin published "The Education of Brett Kavanaugh: An Investigation". The book included information that Leland Keyser challenged Ford's accuracy and felt pressured to alter her story regarding Kavanaugh.

The Education of Brett Kavanaugh: An Investigation

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2019: Kavanaugh withdrew from teaching at Harvard and taught at George Mason University

In 2019, following allegations of sexual misconduct, Kavanaugh voluntarily withdrew from teaching at Harvard for the winter semester. In the summer of 2019, he joined the faculty of George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School as a visiting professor.

June 8, 2022: Nicholas John Roske traveled to Kavanaugh's home with plans to murder him

In the early morning of June 8, 2022, Nicholas John Roske traveled from California to Kavanaugh's home in Maryland with plans to murder Kavanaugh and commit suicide, stemming from dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court's leaked draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization and potential changes to gun control laws. Roske turned himself in to authorities.

June 2022: Assassination Plot Target

In June 2022, Brett Kavanaugh was the target of an assassination plot by a suspect hoping to disrupt rulings in Dobbs and Bruen.

2022: Protests at Kavanaugh's home

In 2022, Kavanaugh's home was the site of protests following the leak of a draft majority opinion for the Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.

2023: Release of Justice Documentary

In 2023, Doug Liman's documentary Justice recounts the sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh, featuring testimony of Ford and Ramirez and an audio recording corroborating Ramirez's charges.

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