ICYMI: Photos From Justice Brett Kavanaugh's Investiture Ceremony

Katie Pavlich | November 08, 2018 9:00 PM

On Thursday Justice Brett Kavanaugh was ceremonially sworn in at the Supreme Court for his investiture.

The Investiture Ceremony

On June 23, 1969, the Court closed its last scheduled sitting with a formal Courtroom ceremony in which retiring Chief Justice Earl Warren administered a combined oath to incoming Chief Justice Warren E. Burger. Under Chief Justice Burger, the Court began to hold special sittings to receive the commissions of newly appointed Justices. The first ceremony of this kind was held for Justice Harry A. Blackmun on June 9, 1970. During this special ceremony, referred to as the investiture, the Chief Justice generally administers the Constitutional Oath privately to the new Justice in the Justices’ Conference Room, the commission is presented and read aloud in the Courtroom and the Chief Justice administers the Judicial Oath in the Courtroom. Burger also started a tradition of having the new Justice sit in the historic John Marshall Bench Chair at the beginning of the ceremony.

"This special sitting of the Court is held today to receive the Commission of the newly appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, Brett M. Kavanaugh," Chief Justice John Roberts said at the beginning of the ceremony. "We are pleased to have with us today the President of the United States. On behalf of the Court, Mr. President, I extend to you and the First Lady a warm welcome. We are also pleased to have with us our retired colleague, Justice Kennedy."

Former Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland was also in attendance. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was scheduled to be at the event, but due to a fall which resulted in broken ribs, was unable to attend.

Two others in the chambers for Brett Kavanaugh's ceremonial investiture: Judge Merrick Garland, who was nominated by Obama to the Supreme Court, only to be blocked in Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Also in the room today: Mitch McConnell.
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) November 8, 2018

Here are some photos and more information from the event.

At this morning’s investiture ceremony for Justice Kavanaugh: POTUS, FLOTUS, Sarah Sanders, Gen Kelly, Senators McConnell/Graham, former Justice Kennedy, Don McGahn, former SCOTUS nominee (and former Kavanaugh colleague) Judge Merrick Garland, Acting AG Whittaker. #SCOTUS
— Shannon Bream (@ShannonBream) November 8, 2018