He has become a favorite punching bag for left-wing activists. His public reputation is scarred by sexual misconduct accusations, but Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh vowed to remain unintimidated and says he’s “not afraid.”

In an emotional speech to a private gathering of the Federalist Society, Justice Kavanaugh provided a glimpse inside his life during the bitter confirmation battle and heaped praise on his friends.

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“My friends paid a heavy price, way too heavy a price,” Justice Kavanaugh said. “In the midst of it all, they stood up and they stood by me.”

He added, “I will always be not afraid.”

Justice Kavanaugh also urged fellow jurists and the next generation to be fearless in the pursuit of justice.

During the confirmation battle in which he was accused of sexual misconduct in high school and college, he often repeated to himself the lyrics of the hymn “Be Not Afraid,” he said.

He heard the hymn many times at Georgetown Preparatory School, a private Jesuit college-preparatory school for boys in Washington’s Maryland suburbs.

Be encouraged as Judge Kavanaugh has been during his life. Listen to “Be Not Afraid” by clicking below:

Justice Kavanaugh elected not to address the Federalist Society’s annual convention when he attended in 2018 shortly after his confirmation, but he took the stage last week to thank his allies.

More than 2,300 attendees shuffled past left-wing protesters to squeeze into Union Station and listen to Justice Kavanaugh deliver the keynote address for the group’s annual convention in Washington.

At the Federalist Society event, Justice Kavanaugh dined at a table with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, and former White House counsel Don McGahn, who both delivered speeches that night.

Dinner attendees, who hailed from all three branches of the federal government, appeared undaunted by the protesters. They gave Justice Kavanaugh a standing ovation lasting several minutes as soon as he took the stage.

Alongside Justice Kavanaugh, two of his high court colleagues attended Thursday night’s black-tie affair: Justices Neil M. Gorsuch and Samuel A. Alito Jr.

Justice Gorsuch addressed the convention Saturday evening at the Mayflower Hotel, and echoed Justice Kavanaugh’s remarks.

“What I say to you young people: Be courageous; aim high; we need you more than ever; be kind to one another along the way; be dogged,” Justice Gorsuch said. “And be not afraid, as Justice Kavanaugh said, be not afraid. Because guess what? They can throw their slings and arrows, and I’m still here.”

(Excerpt from The Washington Times. Article by Ryan Lovelace.)