Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Sunday defended protesters against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh who gathered earlier this week outside Morton’s Steakhouse, where he dined.
Reports surfaced Friday that Cavanaugh walked out of the back of the D.C. restaurant Wednesday night to avoid protesters demanding that management evict him.
Buttigieg’s husband, Chasten, tweeted in response to the news: “Sounds like he just wanted some privacy to make his own eating decisions,” a jab at Kavanaugh’s vote to overturn Roe v. Wade last month, ending the constitutional a woman’s right to an abortion.
During an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” moderator Mike Emanuel asked Buttigieg if his husband’s tweet about the incident was “appropriate.”
“Look, when government officials enter public life, we should expect two things. One, that you must always be free from violence, harassment and intimidation,” Buttigieg replied. “And second, you’re never going to get away with criticism or peaceful protest, people are exercising their First Amendment rights.”
Buttigieg also noted that Cavanaugh didn’t even notice the protesters outside the restaurant, but was told about them before he left. Then the secretary tore up justice over his abortion decision.
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“Not just the right to choose, by the way, but this justice was part of the process of taking away the right to privacy,” Buttigieg told Emanuel, adding that Kavanaugh told senators he considered Roe v. Wade to be settled law .
“So, yes, people are upset,” Buttigieg concluded. “They will exercise their First Amendment rights.”
In a statement, Morton’s condemned the incident, saying: “Politics, regardless of your side or views, should not trample the freedom of play on the right to gather and eat dinner.”
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