it is 7:00 here in the nation's capital. i want to welcome our viewers here in the u.s., and all around the world. i'm an ra cabrera. thank you for being with us. you are live in the c"cnn newsroo newsroom". we have a live look at two crowds. one waiting for president trump's imminent arrival to celebrate brett kavanaugh, who was moments ago sworn in by the

chief justice. and lining the streets outside the supreme court, waiting for justice kavanaugh to depart, so those can continue to express their fury and dismay. it's a process that came to an end today. a process that further divided an already divided nation -- a divide that is playing out live right now. now, just a few minutes ago, as you see in these official white house photos, brett kavanaugh was formally sworn in business his new boss, chief justice john roberts. and the man he's replays, retired justice anthony kennedy. other people were there, too. we have more details from the private swearing-in ceremony in just a moment. phil mattingly hag that, but first the chaotic and angry reaction still boiling on the streets outside the u.s. supreme court and cnn's miguel marquez is there. miguel, even before justice kavanaugh was confirmed by the

senate, people started gathering thereon, and they are growing in numbers and in their passion. what are you hearing from them? >> reporter: i wouldn't say their growing in numbers. the number have come down through the day, but there were many arrests before the process -- before the vote on his conformation began, and then most of the people crossed the street over to the supreme court where they stayed on the sidewalk for much of the day, and then right toward the end there was one protester who went up on the steps just about as justice kavanaugh was about to be sworn in, and the entire group rushed. this is the back entrance. we believe justice kavanaugh will leave soon. the crowd has been gathered here for some time, chanting, wanting to expression their displeasure with his being seated on the

supreme court. there's also another exit down on the south side that he may competent from as well. a couple civilian vehicles left here about 30, 40 minutes ago. water bottles were thrown. there was a lot of police here in motorcycles and cars -- >> miguel marquez there, of course, some technical difficulties. we lost miguel. we'll try to check back in with you. thank you so much. we also have phil mattingly, who's been covering this from inside the u.s. capitol. brett kavanaugh formally a u.s. supreme court justice. what do you know about this private ceremony, phil? moves there? who swore in the newest justice? >> reporter: private, small ser moyer. john roberts swore in the new justice. anthony kennedy was there as well, a man he's replacing, and who he clerked for.

his wife, his parents and family, it's a reminder there's a family involved here, and this man will actually be seated as one nine justs on the supreme court. he will be ready to take parity of in the activities next week. no question about it, this was done very quickly. the united states senate voted to confirm him just a couple hours ago, he is now on the court. in between all of the protests, the outcry, and frankly in you're talking about where republicans stand, there's a reminder he's a supreme court justice, he will now by ruling on the most important decisions that come before the court, and as has been kind of the stakes that have been laid out from the very beginning of this nomination, he now very clearly tilts the supreme court towards the conservative side of thing. it's what democrats have been railing against and trying to oppose. the reason here at least on capitol hill, republicans were so dead set on moving somebody who they say had all of the

qualifications, the background, the senate majority leader said over and over again he thought he was the most qualified nominee that's ever been picked. well, now he's there. the big question is, along with all the questions about what happens in this institution, the institution across the street, the supreme court, and frankly the country, but also from brett kavanaugh's perspective, what kind of justice he'll be, what he'll do to the court and all those questions we just don't have answers to. >> there's so many questions. phil mattingly, thank you, migged, or thanks to you as well. we'll discuss more about this moment, what it means. but first i want to take you back to kansas. this picture where crowds are gathering, and they're expecting to hear in just moments, it's a safe bet he will bring up kavanaugh's nomination. just 30 days now from the mid

terms. just moments ago after handling in topeka, the president said this about the supreme court's newest member. >> he's an outstanding man, an outstanding person. what they put him and his family through, the democrats, over the last few weeks is horrible. if you look at what he's had to endure, horrible, false statements. it just doesn't get any worse. but the beautiful thing is he is now in. he's going to be there for a long time. he's just an outstanding intellect, outstanding scholar. >> cnn's sarah westwood joins us from the venue. what more did he say aboard air force one? >> trump has been eager all day to tout this victory. he's been praising justice kavanaugh and the republicans who voted to confirm him, and he's been defending the controversial process that unfolded on the judiciary

committee, and at the fbi nearly two weeks since the allegation was first raised. take a listen to what he told reporters aboard air force one? >> reporter: when these allegations first surfaced and you want there shouldn't be a little doubt, are you 100% certain -- >> i'm 100% certain, and the fbi has done an excellent job. they went through it, and went through it seven times. the fbi went through seven investigations, and they did a very thorough job, excellent job. >> reporter: trump has taken every opportunity to talk to reporters today as he was leaving the white house, when he was getting off the plane, he's clearly jumping to take credit for salvaging a nomination that at one point looks doomed, and perhaps we're going to see a very forceful victory lap from trump once he takes the stage.

this has been a pretty successful week for him. not just the confirmation, but striking of new trade terms with canada and mexico, and the eye-popping job numbs, and capping that off with a supreme court nominee who will tilt the ideological bent of the supreme court for years, so trump will have a lot to say to his base here in a little over 340 minutes from now. ana in. >> and also what is the president saying about the protests we're seeing? >> reporter: well, president trump fired off a tweet on his way to kansas about the size of the crowd downplaying the energy and outpouring of opposition we've seen around the country to the nom confirmation. he's compared the side of the crowd to the crowd that's gathered him today. that mirrors the red riggs we've seen from him. he's also accused the protesters of being organized by democratic

groups, by george soros. there's no evidence of that, but he's clearly ready to discredit the opposition, and the pain from the people who did not want to be could you have gnat seated on t -- kavanaugh seated on the supreme court. let's first discuss the president's comments and the state of play, so to speak. 5e6 sew sahil, in his remarks on the way to the rally, as supreme court justice kavanaugh is being named, being sworn in, saying he is 100% sure that kavanaugh was not the person who assaulted christine blasey ford. she said she was 100% sure it

was kavanaugh. why even go through now that he's confirmed. >> it's a trumpian way to handle the argument. they say, you know, worry about her and believe her. he said, well, what about him? they say worry about your daughters not being believed? he said worry about your sons being falsely accused. it made a lot of republicans nervous, and i think there will be a serious backlash, where many, many suburban districts will hinge on college-educated women most turned off by president trump as hi party, but this supreme court was worth a lot. it's going to lock in 5-4 jersey on important issues like campaign finance, voting rights, and will tilt the court to potential conservative jersey. this is a very -- you're getting a lot out of this, even if

there's a backlash. >> it seemed like he was taking a vehicles torrie lap, as he took his comments further. it wasn't about, yay, we have another conservative justice, but he continues to be on the attack. he's very calculated. it doesn't mean what he says is true. that's an importance distinction to everyone who 'listening. he knows how to cultivate his wedge issues, and he somehow thinking that by denigrating dr.

ford he can build up republicans and himself. that speaking more about him than about women who are survivorsst sexual assault who need to be and should be taken credibly and dr. ford. also, i think it is just nonsense that he knows for certain 100% that something didn't happen. what we know is what with he know, okay? so there is a credible allegation out there. the fact that the fbi didn't find more after a truncated further look at the inquiry means that things are inconclusive, not absolute. >> that is enough to get the votes that they needed. >> right. >> because there was no corroborating evidence. >> he couldn't just take his victory, because he doesn't believe in a unifying theme or trying to unify the nation. he wants to take this weeks before the election and create more wedge issues, more

polarization, more divisiveness in order to stoke his base. >> that divide has never been more obvious. when you look at the protests as judge kavanaugh is being sworn in behind those doors as protesters are banging on the doors of the supreme court. you have cover the supreme court, ariane. put this moment into perspective for us. >> you don't often see people go up on the stairs, bang on the door, and then sit on the lap of lady justice, and at the same time the president was very quick to say those are just a few people. he is -- he sees the divide, but he feels like this is a great moment of victory for him, and it is. he has now shiftsed this court to the right for decades. we looked at those pictures earlier of kavanaugh's confirmation and got him being

sworn in by justice kennedy. that's so indicative. kennedy was a swing vote. kavanaugh is further to the right, and he's going to change the court for decades in the issues of abortion, lgbt rights, and other issues. i talked to the information officer, and we were talking about how will the other justices react to kavanaugh coming on the bench? they don't like the politicization. they know he talks during his opening statement using strong political terms -- >> at the hearing when they were asking him about the accusation. >> absolutely. today. at this closed-door swearing-in we saw the chief and kennedy, but also justice ruth bader ginsburg, just thomas, kayent and just alito. the others who weren't there

were on travel. they came in to be the first to be a part of the ceremony. that tells you a lot about the court and what the court will try to do. it tells you no you that kavanaugh is a justice, he will try to get back to the judge who has written 300 opinions and distance himself away from the other side. >> it sounds like they were sort of bringing out their arms to say you are one of us, and despite the division happening outside, they're saying we are in and out united supreme court. >> it also means maybe there's no better way of a chance to get a vote than to be welcoming. >> they have to work together. >> they know there may be issues where they could make a 4-4, 6-4, you know, 7-2 if they don't -- if he welcome him and in a sense they say can we play ball on some issues?

>> i got to hit a quick paw. we're going to continue our conversation. sotomayor also referenced neil gorsuch and something they've been working on to find common ground. we're watching the live pictures, where brett kavanaugh was sworn in as the new associate justice on the highest court in the land. and we're live in topeka, kansas. this crowd want to hear from the president, expected to speak about this conversation. don't forget tomorrow morning, senator susan collins and her pivotal voice, her moment that came this week. she will join our college dana bash on "state of the union" only here on cnn.

i'm ken jacobus, i'm the owner of good start packaging. we distribute environmentally-friendly packaging for restaurants. and we've grown substantially. so i switched to the spark cash card from capital one. i earn unlimited 2% cash back on everything i buy. and last year, i earned $36,000 in cash back. that's right, $36,000. which i used to offer health insurance to my employees. my unlimited 2% cash back is more than just a perk, it's our healthcare. can i say it? what's in your wallet? (seriously, that's what we call tit. officially.all a huge drag. and we covered it. talk to farmers. we know a thing or two because we've seen a thing or two. ♪ we are farmers. bum-pa-dum, bum-bum-bum-bum ♪

they work togetherf doing important stuff. the hitch? like you, your cells get hungry. feed them... with centrum micronutrients. restoring your awesome, daily. centrum. feed your cells. our mission is to provide complete, balanced nutrition... for strength and energy! whoo-hoo! great-tasting ensure. with nine grams of protein and twenty-six vitamins and minerals. ensure. now up to 30 grams of protein for strength and energy! mechanic: midas has all the top king: yes! indeed.ires. take these michelin tires for example... king: or these goodyear tires over here! now at midas, get up to $200 off select goodyear and cooper tires with the midas credit card. request your appointment today.

it is official. brett kavanaugh has been sworn in as supreme court justice. now we're waiting for president trump to address a fired-up

crowd in kansas. it's a divided country right now, playing outs live on your screen. back with us our panel ariane devogue, lynn sweet, and national political report for bloomberg politics sahil kapur. we talked about the crowds that have been gathered today as the justice was being sworn in, and the president did tweet on this. he wrote -- the crowd in front of the u.s. supreme court is tiny, looks like about 200 people. most are onlookers that wouldn't even fill the first couple rows are of our kansas raleigh or any of our rallies for the most part. numbers are all relative, of course, but do you think the fact that the president is making a competition. is this a pop layers contest? do you think he takes it

personally? >> a little bit. he always takes these things a about bit personally. the the supreme court's reputation and perceived legitimacy will take a hit. not only because of the partisan divisions, but because of something senator lisa murkowski said, which was that brett kavanaugh doesn't rise to her high standard for a judge. his attitude, his temperament, the partisan nature of his behavior at that hearing. even if you believe that he is innocent of this, the behavior there in murkowski's view was not in keeping with how a judge should behave. that's something i think will linger. that margin, two votes, the closest margin. hold on. i just wanted to let you know what our viewers are watching. this was kavanaugh returning to his home good enfollowing his confirmation.

he is now justice brought kavanau kavanaugh, who was also with his family, which was in private today at the supreme court, as he get ready to take the bench. you brought of lisa murkowski. she spoke to the bigger picture, i believe he's a good man. but she says, i think this moment is bigger than one person, and she was concerned about the be grits of the supreme court. >> right. and there was another person this week, who was concerned about the integrity and that's retired justice john paul stevens. that's very rare. he came out in this interview, and he said he had been a fan, but when he saw him during the last half, when kavanaugh was so seething angry, bringing up the politics, the democrats, bringing up hillary clinton, he said he didn't believe he was

qualified because of that ability to put those things aside and think like a judge. he is going on to the court with a cloud over his head. we saw with those protests, and that's it is reality. they don't like it. they don't like it to be perceived. >> the reality is there are more conservative justices, and with his confirmation, he shifts -- he really does tilt it to the right, you know? >> we were talking about, well, the other justices might have shown up to try to get the vote. there's no vote playing here. there's no more swing votes. there are five solid conservatives. the -- in the days of justice kennedy, maybe they would have to be careful. maybe we get the vote. there is no centrist. that is what is keen. justice elena kagan said that in her interview.

before kennedy we had o'connor, and that leads a gaping hole. >> the president is live at his rally. these are imaging in topeka. let's listen for a moment. ♪ from sea to shining sea ♪ from detroit down to houston ♪ and new york to l.a. ♪ where there's pride in every american heart ♪ ♪ and it's time we stand and y say ♪ ♪ that i'm proud to be an american ♪ ♪ where at least i know i'm free ♪ ♪ and i won't forget the men who died ♪ ♪ who gave that life to me ♪ and i gladly stand up next to you ♪ ♪ and defend her still today ♪ because there ain't no doubt i love this land ♪ ♪ love this land ♪ god bless the usa

♪ and i'm proud to be an american ♪ ♪ where at least i know i'm free ♪ ♪ and i won't forget the men who died ♪ ♪ who gave that right to me ♪ and i gladly stand up ♪ next to you and defend her still today ♪ ♪ because there ain't no doubt i love this land ♪ ♪ love this land ♪ god bless the usa [ cheers and applause ] [ chanting ]

hello, kansas, thank you very much. hello, kansas. thank you. i'm thrilled to be here with all of my friends on this truly historic night. this is a historic night. i stand before you today on the heels of a tremendous victory for our nation, our people, and our beloved constitution.

just a few hours ago the u.s. senate confirmed judge brett kavanaugh to the united states supreme court. [ cheers and applause ] and i proudly signed the judge's commission aboard air force one just before landing. this monday night at 7:00 p.m., in the east room of the white house, we will perform the swearing-in ceremony for soon-to-be justice kavanaugh. a great man.

he will sit proudly alongside justice neil gorsuch, who's doing a great job, to uphold your sacred rights and to defend your god-given freedom. i want to thank our incredible republican senators for refusing to back down in the face of the democrats' shameless campaign of political and personal destruction. since the moment brett kavanaugh was -- and you remember this. we made an announcement, and since from the moment we announced, radical democrats launched a disgraceful campaign

to resist, obstruct, delay, demolish and destroy right from the beginning. brett kavanaugh is a man of great character and intellect. he's a totally brilliant scholar who has devoted his life to the law. he is a loving husband, a devoted father, and a faithful public servant, and he always has been. what he and his wonderful family endured at the hands of democrats is unthinkable. it's unthinkable. in their quest for power, the radical democrats have turned into an angry mob. you saw that today with the screaming and the shouting, not

from the 200 people or less -- you know what? those people, they couldn't fit in the front row. look what we have here tonight. they threw away and threw aside every notion of fairness, of justice, of decency, and of due process. nobody has seen anything like it. but each of you will have a chance in just four weeks to render user vertebra on the democrats' conduct at the ballot box. got to vote. got to vote. on november 6, you will have the chance to stop the radical democrats -- and that's what they have become -- by electing a republican house and a

republican senate. we will increase our majorities. we need more republicans. we need more republicans. over the past few weeks every american has now seen the profound stakes in the upcoming election. you now see it. we have been energized. we have been energized. if democrats are willing to cause such destruction in the pursuit of power, just imagine the devastation they would cause if they ever obtained the power they so desperately want and crave. you're going to have other supreme court justices, places to be filled. it could be three, it could even

be four. it could be a lot. and if you allow the wrong people to get into office, things could change. they could change and they could change fast, and we're not going to let that happen. we can't let that happen. it could go very quickly, it can change very fast. we can't let that happen. you don't hand matching to an arsonist, and you don't give power to an angry left-wing mob. that's what they have become. the democrats have become too extreme and too dangerous to govern. republicans believe in the rule of law, not the rule of the mob.

we're doing a hell of a job of doing it. we're draining the swamp, and we want to defeat the democrats conclusively. under republican leadership, america is booming. america is thriving. america is winning, because we are finally putting america first. we are putting america first.

yesterday it was announced that unemployment has fallen to 3.7%, the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years. lowest in 50 years. we've created nearly 600,000 jobs in the last three months alone. think of that. 600,000. and if i ever said that when i was campaigning, the fake news media would go and say, impossible. they are fake. manufacturing confidence is at an all-time high. confidence very important, all-time high. and we have the best economy in the history of our country. the best.

we're taking care of our veterans, protecting our great seniors, and rebuilding america's military might like it hasn't been built before. but if democrats take control, they will try to plunge our country into gridlock, poverty and chaos. that's what's going to happen. it can change. the democrats want to significantly raise your taxes. essential they want to impose socialism, venezuela. dismantle law enforcement and eliminate or borders. they want to have nice, open borders. no way. the democrats have become the

party of crime. they have become the party of crime. think of it. republicans are the party of law and order and justice. and we really have become even more so than ever before the party of opportunity and wealth. that's what's happening. we're creating wealth for everybody. whether it's small businesses, big businesses or people wanting great jobs, that's what's happening. wages right now for the first time in 19 years, wages are going up for people, and jobs, you can chools the job you wase for the first time in many years. we are thrilled to be joined by a number of your state's terrific republican leaders, and i have to tell you that i wasn't

supposed to be here, because, you know, this is such a big day. this is such a big day. i was supposed to call you. they said, do you mind calling chris cobach, and do you mind -- because of the fact today we are getting this great, great talented wonderful supreme court judge, they said could you call the people of kansas and tell them we won't be able to make it tonight. i said, i don't have the courage to do that. i don't have the courage. i said i don't have the courage. they called me, they said, sir, we're signing the next united states supreme court justice. you've heard it. the biggest thing a president can do, they're always said is supreme court justice, the biggest.

and -- we've had two in less than two years. smep presidents investments -- they said, sir, do you mind cancelling kansas tonight. i said no way am i cancelling kansas. no way. no way. i had that phone working on the plane, i had that signature going on the plane, and here we are. and, by the way, you think this crowd inside is big? you should see the crowd that's outside. we just put up big movie screens, but i think this is better, right? this is better. i want to thank congressman

roger marsh. he's been a great friend. roger has been a great friend, and a great friend also, ron estes. they helped us so much with the tax cuts, with regulation cuts, with so many things that we have passed that nobody thought would be possible, would be possible. so thank you both very much. where are they? where are they? thank you very much, fellas. thank you. fantastic. also i want to thank somebody who has done a fantastic job, gop chair kelly arnold. great job. we've been listening into live comments from the president

at a campaign rally in topeka, kansas, sounding like a campaigner in his comments, but we wanted to listen in certainly, because it was our first opportunity to hear the president really reacting to today's events and the historic moment that it was. brett kavanaugh being sworn in as the new supreme court justice. that ceremony happening within the last couple hours. the president commented how he signed the justice's commission, and he also mentioned there will be a public swearing-in ceremony, more symbolic for kavanaugh on monday night at 7:00 p.m. as he has been really working the crowd, he talked about the protesters that have also been out in force today, including at the supreme court, and they are still out around the country with new protests popping up. i want to bring you live pictures from seattle, where we

have people in the streets protesting from our affiliate komo. we have seen protests we know that have happened around the country. they were planned, at least, in about a dozen-plus states around the country. here again moments ago in seattle, it gives you a better look at the numbers. i want to bring back my panel and discuss a bit of what we heard from the president. welcome to the panel. james shultz, the former trump white house attorney. i wanted to get your input first. overall, your thoughts on what we just heard from the president and this moment that's now with a ninth new justice. >> the president has a job right now. that job is going into the november elections and getting republicans elected. i think he's trying to draw on the enthusiasm bump that republicans have seen around the

country as a result of what's been going on with judge, now justice kavanaugh, and the attacks that have been levied upon him. i think that energized the base to come behind the water, energize to come out and vote. the president has to continue that wave. the only way that to do that, and he's the only guy to do it, to hold these rallies, and rally the troops. >> do you think he proficiency the division, though this it sounds like he's trying to create one side against the other. >> i think what you're seeing is the president looking at the country right now. before all of this took place, you saw republicans kind of ready to stay home. they were happy, not energized, not ready to come out. you see in the polls now they're excited. they're excited about justice kavanaugh. they were angry about the attacks levied upon him. the president has to try to get that vote out in november. >> tounder score what you say,

thep mitch mcconnell had a press conference, and he thanked the democrats. he said one of our problems was trying to figure out how to motivate our voters to turn out, and they fixed the problem for us. >> the president has clamming i think a number of republican strategists. there's no doubt there's been a boost in the base as this battle went on. conserve tiffs are very much attuned to the courts, but history doesn't work in the way that voters don't go to the polls to say thank you. they go to the polls to express anger. the back december lash politics are stronger. you know, they didn't show up to vote for the democrats. i'm wondering, and a number of strategists i spoke to, are worried that trump's voters will show up to support him when he's on the ballot. when he's not on the ballot, they're concerned they may not.

>> actually that's true for president obama, too. when you have these extraordinary one-off political personality, you can't replicate their campaigns or successes, and it doesn't always transmitt to lower-ticket races. >> it stood out to hear the words the president said. you don't hand matches to an arsonist and don't give power to an angry left-wing mob. this word "mob" we're hearing tro the president, he heard it from lindsey gram, and mitch mcconnell. it seems like they have a marketing message. the question is, will it work? >> there's no doubt it's a coordinated strategy. >> but it's interesting to see what the president has done with the courts. when he was a nominee, he zeroed in on this. no other nominee had ever come with a list of supreme court justices. he did. he saw this coming, working with the federalist society, don

mcgahn, and mitch mcconnell. they're working at the lower courts, getting these appeals court judges in, and you heard the president there saying he thinking he'll get more vacancies. you heard that crowd roar. it's interesting how early on this president honed in on this issue, and now all day long we're talking about the supreme court and suddenly we're talking about the mid terms. >> i remember talking to people prior to the 2016 election, and people who didn't like a lot of what they were hearing from the president, but they voted for the republican in the race because of the supreme court. i have to squeeze in a quick break. stay with me. the president is still speaks in topeka, kansas. we'll be right back. you're in the "cnn newsroom." and there's no shortcut to the right way. so when we roll out the nation's first 5g ultra wideband network, it'll be because we were the first to install the fiber-optics and small cells,

and upgrade the towers that will change the way we learn, work and live. and i'll always be proud that we're not just building america's first 5g network. we're doing it right.

they call me maxie but i prefer tripod. i was your above-average four-legged homie and then wham bam--minivan. some people pity me-- now that's lame. i still run, fetch, and swim. and, the ladies love me. i'm the ultimate wingman. just don't ask me to high five.

welcome back. continuing our coverage, these are images from seattle, three hours earlier there, still daylight, but you can see protesters gathering with their signs, anti-kavanaugh protesters wanting to make sure their voices are heard today and their opposition known. white house press secretary sarah huckabee sanders meantime congratulating the newly confirmed supreme court justice, brett kavanaugh. she writes this. congratulations judge kavanaugh, instead of a 6-3 liberal supreme court under hillary clinton we now have a 5-4 conservative supreme court under president donald trump, cementing a tremendous legacy for the president and a better future for america.

so what does this future look like? with us former white house attorney jim schultz is back with us and former council to the u.s. assistant attorney general. this court has now taken a sharp turn to the right. what will you each be watching for? >> regardless if it would have been justice kavanaugh or any other nominee that the president could have nominated, the court would have turned to the right. so in some ways this confirmation is the direction the court was going to go anyway, given the republican president in play, given particularly that president trump has embraced the conservative legal community. so whether it was him or not, the court was going to go in a conservative direction. and so that will affect many of the cases that comes before it, whether it's in the area of national security or law enforcement or corporate interests, there will be a

variety of fourth amendment issues. we'll see. sometimes on fourth amendment issues, libberiertarian views a changing. it looks like justice kavanaugh is going to be starting immediately. >> what will you be watching for? >> the president made promising to appoint conservative joiudge during his campaign. i agree with you, he's fulfilled those promises on the district court, and now the supreme court. he said tonight he'll continue to do so. justice kennedy is swearing in justice kavanaugh tonight. justice kavanaugh was a clerk of justice kennedy. it will be interesting to see if he follows in the footsteps of justice kennedy. >> would you expect him to? a lot of people who wanted trump in office in order to nominate supreme court justice who were conservative didn't want somebody who would follow in the

footsteps of kennedy. >> kennedy 90 plus percent of the time was with scalia and the conservative justices on the court. he was a swing vote on certain key issues. let's not forget the kavanaugh decision on the aca case which was eventually followed by roberts. there's no telling where they'll be on any particular issue. it will be interesting to watch. >> giving when what we heard du that hearing, when he came out swinging at democrats, talking about revenge for the clintons, a lot of people have called into question his politics and whether his motivation in rulings would be driven by politics, do you think it would be fair to ask judge kavanaugh to recuse himself from cases that have to do with democrats or sexual assault victims? >> no, he doesn't have to do that at all, and it's his decision whether he wants to do that. when he said what goes around comes around, a lot of people are seizing on that, that that's

how he's going to conduct himself as a judge. he was talking about confirmation processes in the future and that there are going to be democrats that will be coming before that body again and what goes around comes around, meaning that vitriol that was so dead set against him in those hearings, that had nothing to do with how he was going to act as a justice. >> the problem with the way that judge kavanaugh, now justice kavanaugh comported himself at that hearing, the difficulty is what it does to the supreme court as an institution and what it does in the perspective of some as to how he proceeds as a justice. the fact of the matter is he was partisan. he was very deliberate in the things that he said that were political and they were partisan. and so there will be some, both litigants who are before the court as well as the public, who are going to question whether or not he is able to set that anger aside, set what are some deeply held political and partisan views, and set them aside.

hopefully he will. but on the other hand, his credibility, i think his professional credibility took a really big hit. and unfortunately, i think that is going to be transposed some to the supreme court as well, now there will be even more questions as to whether or not the court with him on it is going to be even more political as opposed to -- >> we've got to go, guys. our breaking news coverage continues next. don't go anywhere. this place isn't for me.

that last place was pretty nice. i don't like this whole thing. i think we can do better. change is hard. try to keep an open mind.

come on, dad. this is for me, son? principal. we can help you plan for that.

you're live in the cnn newsroom. i'm ana cabrera in washington. breaking news right now on cnn. many different reactions in major u.s. cities, reactions to today's historic confirmation and swearing in of the newest u.s. supreme court justice. to seattle, washington, and new york c