Lindsey Graham's Old Comments About Merrick Garland Come Back To Haunt Him

The South Carolina senator's 2016 remarks are at odds with what he's saying now about Brett Kavanaugh.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) was called out for hypocrisy on Monday after comments he made in 2016 resurfaced on social media. 

The conservative lawmaker is a staunch defender of Judge Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee who has been accused of sexual assault. On Monday, Graham slammed Democrats for calling for an FBI investigation into the Kavanaugh allegations, and claimed that they were playing politics by trying to keep the seat open until after the midterm election: 

Yet Graham and his fellow Republicans in the Senate blocked Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama’s March 2016 Supreme Court pick, and Graham himself admitted it was for political reasons:  

The video prompted many on Twitter to slam Graham: 

 

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Brett Kavanaugh Testimony
(01 of14)
Open Image Modal
Ashley Kavanaugh holds hands with her husband, Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh, as they arrive for his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill. (credit:Drew Angerer via Getty Images)
(02 of14)
Open Image Modal
Brett Kavanaugh arrives to testify. (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
(03 of14)
Open Image Modal
Kavanaugh is sworn in before testifying. (credit:Reuters)
(04 of14)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Pool via Getty Images)
(05 of14)
Open Image Modal
(Third, fourth and fifth from left) Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) with staffers at the hearing. (credit:MATT MCCLAIN via Getty Images)
(06 of14)
Open Image Modal
(credit:ANDREW HARNIK via Getty Images)
(07 of14)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) listen to Kavanaugh. (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
(08 of14)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Win McNamee via Getty Images)
(09 of14)
Open Image Modal
Judiciary Committee member Graham shouts during the hearing. (credit:Win McNamee via Getty Images)
(10 of14)
Open Image Modal
Actress Alyssa Milano (second from right), a prominent figure in the Me Too movement, listens to Kavanaugh. (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
(11 of14)
Open Image Modal
Edward Kavanaugh and Martha Kavanaugh, Brett Kavanaugh’s parents, listen to testimony. (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
(12 of14)
Open Image Modal
(credit:ANDREW HARNIK via Getty Images)
(13 of14)
Open Image Modal
Brett Kavanaugh testifies as Ashley Kavanaugh looks on. (credit:Reuters)
(14 of14)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Win McNamee via Getty Images)