Once again, Senator John Kennedy brought the fire.
During a Senate hearing meant to promote respect for the judicial process, Kennedy confronted left-wing legal commentator and professor Kate Shaw over her inflammatory remarks about the U.S. Supreme Court, specifically, her claim that some justices are “evil.”
In a video posted by Kennedy’s office on Twitter, his staff edited in a clip from Shaw’s April 22, 2024, podcast. In it, Shaw refers to some of the Court’s justices as “evil colleagues” of Justice Elena Kagan while discussing the majority opinion in Muldrow v. City of St. Louis.
Kennedy wasted no time pressing her on the statement during her testimony:
KENNEDY: “Which justices were you talking about?”SHAW: “I don’t recall using that word, but I guess what you said…”
Kennedy, clearly prepared, cut in, reminding Shaw of her exact words and calling out the double standard.
KENNEDY: “You said ‘evil colleagues.’ That’s your voice. So, which Supreme Court justices are evil?”
Shaw attempted to walk it back, suggesting it was a transcription error and that she’d need to “refresh her recollection.” But Kennedy wasn’t having it:
“You’re teaching our kids, and you’re telling them to respect judges while calling Supreme Court justices ‘evil’ in the same breath? Gag me with a spoon,” he said. “You’re part of the problem.”
The exchange made it painfully clear: this was an academic who lectures on judicial norms while smearing the highest court in the land. And Kennedy wasn’t about to let it slide.
It was reminiscent of another recent moment where a professor’s testimony collapsed under the weight of her own partisan writings and tweets, material Senator Kennedy also dismantled with surgical precision.
Partial Transcript (Edited for Clarity, also crosstalk):
Sen. John Kennedy: On April 22, 2024, you said—and I’m quoting—“there are some members of the Supreme Court that are evil.” (Video Clip Plays)Kate Shaw (Podcast): “Will she [Justice Kagan] be able to control its potential future distortion by her evil colleagues? Probably not.”Sen. Kennedy: Which justices were you talking about?Kate Shaw: I’ll take your word, Senator. I don’t recall using that word, but I guess what you said.Sen. Kennedy: You were talking about the majority opinion in Muldrow v. City of St. Louis. You said, quote, “Justice Kagan—I mean, will she be able to control the opinion’s future distortion by her evil colleagues? Probably not.” End quote. Who were you talking about?Kate Shaw: I—I would have to refresh my recollection. I’ve been very critical of that statement.Sen. Kennedy: You don’t remember calling Supreme Court justices evil?Kate Shaw: I’m skeptical. That doesn’t sound like something I would say.Sen. Kennedy: You’re teaching our kids. You’re here testifying about the importance of respecting judges. And yet, in your own podcast, you call members of the United States Supreme Court “evil”?Kate Shaw: I don’t refer to Supreme Court justices as evil or “evil colleagues” in the classroom.Sen. Kennedy: Not in the classroom—on your podcast, on April 22, 2024. Big as Dallas.Kate Shaw: Again, I’d have to double-check the transcript. That doesn’t sound like what I meant to say.Sen. Kennedy: You’re an officer of the court. And you’re here advising us to be respectful of federal judges. And yet, you say there are evil members of the United States Supreme Court? Gag me with a spoon.Sen. Kennedy (continued): You’re part of what’s wrong with this whole process.
The lesson here? If you’re going to preach respect for judges, maybe don’t go around calling them evil.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY