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Kavanaugh's SCOTUS Welcoming Ceremony Will Break With Tradition

After being sworn in, justices attend an "Investiture Ceremony," which serves as their formal welcome to the court.
Posted at 3:16 PM, Nov 04, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-04 15:16:42-05

Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh will forgo a nearly 45-year tradition during his formal investiture ceremony on Thursday.

The investiture is a ceremonial welcome performed for all justices sworn onto the court.

After the ceremony, new justices usually walk down the court's marble front steps alongside the chief justice.

But the Supreme Court announced Kavanaugh will be skipping the walk portion of his ceremony, making him the first justice to do so since John Paul Stevens in 1975. The ceremony also won't be broadcast live.

The court said the decision was made due to security concerns linked to Kavanaugh's confirmation.

Both Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford, one of several women who accused of him sexual misconduct during his confirmation, have received death threats.

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN