WASHINGTON _ Senate Judiciary Democrats are calling John W. Dean, best known as Richard Nixon's White House counsel, as one of their witnesses for the confirmation hearings of President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee next week.
Dean might well be the headliner for the minority side, who have questions about nominee Brett Kavanaugh's views about the limits of executive power.
The Supreme Court confirmation hearings begin Tuesday morning with opening statements and introductions from former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and prominent lawyer Lisa S. Blatt, as well as Ohio GOP Sen. Rob Portman.
The outside witnesses, including Dean, will be appearing at the witness table later in the week, following the barrage of questions for Senate Judiciary members for Kavanaugh himself.
Among other intriguing witnesses being summoned by the Democrats are Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Cedric Richmond, D-La., and Elizabeth Weintraub of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities.
Democrats have been pushing questions about Kavanaugh's views on the legality of pre-existing condition protections in the 2010 health care overhaul.
Republican witnesses supporting Kavanaugh include two former solicitors general, Paul C. Clement and Theodore Olson.
