President Donald Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court . If confirmed, the 53-year-old federal judge could tilt the balance of the court in a solidly conservative direction for decades to come, likely affecting decisions on abortion, gerrymandering, affirmative action, gay rights and capital punishment.

Kavanaughs position on strong executive power and his role in partisan political battles, including independent counsel Kenneth Starrs investigations into President Bill Clinton and the high courts decision on the 2000 presidential election recount, are set to dominate whats shaping up to be an extraordinarily contentious confirmation hearing.