The Washington Post Editorial Board, in a piece published Wednesday afternoon, argued that Republicans had treated Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson worse than Democrats treated Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearings in 2018.
“Republicans boast they have not pulled a Kavanaugh. In fact, they’ve treated Ketanji Brown Jackson worse, the Editorial Board writes,” tweeted the outlet’s opinion section.
Republicans boast they have not pulled a Kavanaugh. In fact, they’ve treated Ketanji Brown Jackson worse, the Editorial Board writes https://t.co/HS2NOlmeFT
— Washington Post Opinions (@PostOpinions) March 24, 2022
The article opens by claiming that the allegations against Kavanaugh — regarding everything from drunken fraternity games to gang rape — were “credible,” despite the fact that the woman who accused him directly could not recall when or where the supposed assault happened and none of the people she claimed were there could even confirm she had ever met Kavanaugh.
The Editorial Board then accuses Kavanaugh of behaving “intemperately” when he lashed out at the Democrats who he said were falsely accusing him of heinous crimes — and doing so in front of his wife and young daughters.
On the flip side, the Editorial Board argues that Republican questions addressing Judge Jackson’s record — which leans toward lighter-than-recommended sentences for those convicted in child pornography cases — are blatant attempts to “smear” her. In addition, the board suggests that Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) asking Jackson to define the word “woman” is far more concerning than the fact that Jackson could not answer the question.
Critics roundly mocked The Washington Post over the claim, sharing their thoughts on Twitter.
“LOL when I first scrolled past this I assumed it was a Jen Rubin special but it is genuinely laughable that this take is by the whole WaPo editorial board,” Jerry Dunleavy said.
“Imagine saying this with a straight face? Dems accused Kavanaugh of being a serial rapist with no evidence besides the word of someone that couldn’t remember anything & Michael Avenatti,” Donald Trump Jr. added. “Republicans questioned Jackson about very lenient sentences for pedos & child pornographers!”
The Washington Examiner’s Kaelan Deese explained, “While exchanges have been tense, it’s objectively clear that GOP concerns around KBJ have been aptly pointed towards her record and not remotely in the same realm as the spring trap that was placed on Kavanaugh over purported events before his relevant career work.”
“Democrats falsely accused Kavanaugh of being a raging alcoholic and serial gang rapist and the entire mainstream media apparatus ran with it, no questions asked,” Natalie Johnson pointed out.
“The Democrat media thinks liberal SCOTUS nominees should be rubber-stamped through confirmation, no questions asked, and all conservative nominees should be put through the wringer,” the Washington Free Beacon’s Chuck Ross added.
Michael Knowles offered a slightly offbeat take, arguing that The Washington Post was right, although not for the reasons it cited. “It’s true. Ketanji Jackson’s judicial record is much worse than fables about Brett Kavanaugh’s high school shenanigans,” he said.