SD Democratic Party Chair on Kavanaugh's Nomination to the Supreme Court

SDDP Executive Director Sam Parkinson released the following statement after President Trump announced Judge Brett Kavanaugh as his nominee to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court:

“If confirmed, Kavanaugh would threaten women’s rights, workers’ rights, civil rights, and voting rights for generations to come. Immigrants, LGBTQ Americans, people of color, and people with disabilities would be pushed further to the margins. And wealthy corporations and polluters would gain yet another powerful protector.

“Even more disturbing is what this selection means for the rule of law in our country. Ignoring that the fundamental duty of the Supreme Court is to protect people’s constitutional rights and serve as a check on the powers of the executive branch, Judge Kavanaugh has expressed disturbing views of expansive presidential power. Further, A President under federal criminal investigation for colluding with a foreign power to rig an election should not be able to nominate the person who could play a part in deciding his fate if the fight over the investigation reaches the Supreme Court.

“We urge Senators Mike Rounds and John Thune and the rest of their colleagues in the Senate to reject this extreme nominee and delay any vote on a replacement to retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy until after Special Counsel Mueller has submitted a report to Congress or closed the investigation into President Trump. The very rule of law in our country is at stake.”