Politics

WATCH: Kavanaugh Takes Official Oath Of Office

(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Saagar Enjeti White House Correspondent
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President Donald Trump held an official swearing-in ceremony for Justice Brett Kavanaugh in the White House East Room.

Trump delivered an emotional apology to Kavanaugh ahead of the swearing-in ceremony saying “I would like to begin tonight’s proceeding differently than perhaps any other event of such magnitude. On behalf of the nation, I want to apologize to Brett and the entire Kavanaugh family for the terrible pain and suffering you have been forced to endure.”

(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The president turned to Kavanaugh and flatly declared “I must state that you, sir, under historic scrutiny were proven innocent,” before inviting him to take the judicial oath of office. Kavanaugh was sworn in by retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, marking the first time a Justice swore in a former clerk to his position on the court.

“I, Brett M. Kavanaugh, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God,” Kavanaugh said.

He will now serve as the 114th person on the U.S. Supreme Court.

(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Kavanaugh faced decades-old allegations of sexual assault by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford after the first phase of his confirmation hearings were over. Ford’s allegations ignited a maelstrom of allegations against Kavanaugh which were eventually investigated by the FBI ahead of a narrow Senate vote.