Chief Judge Merrick Garland of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has recused himself from being involved in overseeing ethics complaints regarding Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who has been accused of sexual misconduct.

It remains uncertain why Garland will not be involved in handling the ethics complaints, as it is customary for the chief judge of the circuit to handle ethics cases. However, chief justices may recuse themselves if “circumstances warrant disqualification.”