Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal on Thursday defending his impartiality as a judge.
His remarks come after liberals criticized him for his temperament during last Thursday’s hearing.
Kavanaugh acknowledged that at times his testimony reflected his “overwhelming [frustration] at being wrongly accused, without corroboration, of horrible conduct completely contrary to [his] record and character.”
He also was upset over how the allegations have been handled.
"I was very emotional last Thursday, more so than I have ever been," he said. "I might have been too emotional at times. I know that my tone was sharp, and I said a few things I should not have said. I hope everyone can understand that I was there as a son, husband and dad. I testified with five people foremost in my mind: my mom, my dad, my wife, and most of all my daughters."
He said this was due to the effect those allegations have had on him and his family.
“After all those meetings and after my initial hearing concluded, I was subjected to wrongful and sometimes vicious allegations. My time in high school and college, more than 30 years ago, has been ridiculously distorted. My wife and daughters have faced vile and violent threats,” Kavanaugh wrote.
Kavanaugh said regardless of how the confirmation process has gone, if confirmed, he would continue to be the same judge and person he has been over the course of his 28-year legal career: “hardworking, even-keeled, open-minded, independent and dedicated to the Constitution and the public good.”
The judge explained he will remain optimistic in the days ahead and put the past behind him.
“I revere the Constitution. I believe that an independent and impartial judiciary is essential to our constitutional republic. If confirmed by the Senate to serve on the Supreme Court, I will keep an open mind in every case and always strive to preserve the Constitution of the United States and the American rule of law,” he concluded.