Time chose both Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and his sexual assault accuser Christine Blasey Ford for its list of 100 most influential people of 2019.
Sen. Kamala Harris D-Calif., wrote a brief profile on Ford, praising her for her courage and the spotlight she put on how America responds to sexual assault victims.
“Her courage, in the face of those who wished to silence her, galvanized Americans. And her unfathomable sacrifice, out of a sense of civic duty, shined a spotlight on the way we treat survivors of sexual violence,” Harris, a 2020 candidate for president, wrote.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell praised Kavanaugh for his “resilience.”
“But when unhinged partisanship and special interests sought to distract the Senate from considering those qualifications, we saw other facets of Justice Kavanaugh’s character shine forth as well,” McConnell, R-Ky., said.
“The country saw his resilience and commitment to public service. We saw his loyal devotion to family and friends. We saw his undeterred reverence for the law, for precedents and for our nation’s highest traditions,” he added.
Kavanaugh’s profile appeared in the “leaders” section of the magazine’s list, alongside freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.
The nominations come after an inflammatory fight last fall over the Supreme Court vacancy left by the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy.
Ford was brought before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify on her allegations that Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her during a high school party in the 1980s.
Kavanuagh’s eventual accession to the highest court followed a close Senate confirmation vote that fell mainly along party lines.
[Opinion: Data: Of course the Kavanaugh hearings hurt #MeToo]
