Author Stephen King this weekend suggested Republican Sen. Susan Collins of his home state of Maine held Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh to a different standard than others who have been accused of sexual misconduct, such as former Democratic Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota, in addition to other Supreme Court nominees.
“When Al Franken was accused of sexual impropriety, Susan Collins demanded he resign. Without a hearing,” King tweeted Saturday, hours before Kavanaugh was confirmed.
When Al Franken was accused of sexual impropriety, Susan Collins demanded he resign. Without a hearing.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) October 6, 2018
Franken stepped down in January after he was accused by radio host Leeann Tweeden of forcefully kissing her when the two were practicing a skit as part of a USO tour in the Middle East in 2006. She also said Franken groped her while she slept on the flight from Afghanistan after the tour ended.
The tweet from King came after Collins stated on Friday that she planned to back Kavanaugh, who had been accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct. Kavanaugh denied all allegations of misconduct.
“On the unfair way Merrill [sic] Garland was treated, Susan Collins was silent,” King added in a separate tweet.
On the unfair way Merrill Garland was treated, Susan Collins was silent.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) October 6, 2018
King was likely referencing Merrick Garland, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, who was nominated by former President Barack Obama to serve as a Supreme Court justice in 2016. He was not confirmed, however, as the GOP-led Senate refused to hold a hearing or vote on his nomination.
King was incorrect to claim Collins was silent on a Garland hearing. Collins said in August 2016 she was “more convinced than ever that the process should proceed” after she met individually with Garland. “The next step, in my view, should be public hearings before the Judiciary Committee so that the issues that we explored in my office can be publicly aired,” the senator said.
[Related: Mitch McConnell: Forget Merrick Garland, GOP can confirm a Supreme Court justice in 2020 if it wants]
Kavanaugh was confirmed by the a 50-48 margin in the Senate on Saturday and has since been sworn in.
