Next to the East Room ahead of Kavanaugh’s swearing in ceremony: a cocktail reception. The press was not invited.
Walking into the East Room ahead of Kavanaugh’s swearing in ceremony: Rod Rosenstein and Laura Ingraham, not together.
Rosenstein stood off to the side near members of the press before being ushered further into the room: 
After an extraordinarily long standing ovation, President Donald Trump speaks:
Donald Trump says he wants to begin this event in an usual way: he apologizes to Brett Kavanaugh and his family. Says it “violates every notion of fairness, decency, and due process.”
Donald Trump tells Brett Kavanaugh, incorrectly: “You sir, under historic scrutiny, were proven innocent.”
Trump is conflating a flawed and incomplete FBI report that found no corroborating evidence to support the claims against Kavanaugh with an exoneration.
It will be fascinating to observe how the president continues to distort the facts about this process over time.
Kavanaugh receives another standing ovation after taking the oath. Now, at the lectern, he thanks Trump for the “courtesy” he’s extended to him and his family. “Mr. President, thank you for everything,” he says.
Kavanaugh praises Kennedy for defending the “independence” of the Supreme Court. “I will always be humbled and proud to sit in Justice Kennedy’s seat on the Supreme Court,” he says.
Kavanaugh thanks Mike Pence and then Don McGahn, whom he calls “a warrior for fairness.”
Kavanaugh says he’s been “inspired by my mom” to promote women. He notes most of his law clerks have been women. “I’m proud that all four of my newly hired law clerks on the Supreme Court are women.” He doesn’t mention the allegations that have undercut this perception of him.
Kavanaugh calls the senate process “contentious and emotional.” He says that part is now “over.” He adds that he was not appointed “to serve one party or one interest.”
Kavanaugh assures the country that be will be “an independent and impartial justice.” The tone of the event where he is making this claim is decidedly political, however, thanks to Trump’s opening remarks.
