Sen. Chuck Grassley just asked Judge Brett Kavanaugh, in the first segment of questioning led by the Chairman, to speak to his thoughts regarding judicial independence from the executive branch -- a key subject for anyone concerned about how Kavanaugh would rule on issues directly related to President Trump.
"No one is above the law in our constitutional system," said Kavanaugh. "Under our system of government, the executive branch is subject to the law, subject to the court system... it is an important part of the constitutional structure."
"We are not supposed to be influenced by political pressure from the Executive or from the Congress. We are independent," He added. "We make decisions based on law, not based on policy, not based on political pressure, not based on the identity of the parties, no matter who you are in our system, no matter where you come from, no matter how rich you are or how poor you are, no matter your race, your gender, no matter your station in life, no matter your position in government."