Protesters — who appeared to be affiliated with the activist group “ShutDown DC” — showed up outside the restaurant Wednesday night after receiving a tip that Cavanaugh was there. “While @OurRightsDC villains and his neighbors are gathered outside #Kavanaugh’s house, justice seems to have snuck out for a great dinner in DC,” the group tweeted. “We received a tip from someone who spotted him around 7:40. DM us if you’d like to join him…we’re sure he can rock!” Meanwhile, student loan forgiveness campaigner Melissa Byrne tweeted the restaurant’s phone number, writing: “People should call Mortons [sic] at +1 (202) 955-5997 and tell them it’s bad they had Brett Kavanaugh as dinner tonight. Men who take away women [sic] rights must be avoided’. Moments later, ShutDown DC tweeted: “Hear Kavanaugh is covering the back with his security detail. @mortons should be ashamed to welcome a man who so clearly hates women.’ Politico, citing a person familiar with the situation, reported that Kavanuagh did not hear or see the protesters outside and left after eating a full meal before dessert. Morton’s Steakhouse claims its customers were “unreasonably harassed by unruly protesters.” Joshua Roberts/Bloomberg via Getty Images Although there was no interaction between law enforcement and the protesters, Morton’s issued a statement condemning the incident. “The Honorable Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh and all of our other restaurant patrons were unreasonably harassed by unruly protesters while dining at Morton’s restaurant,” a spokesperson told Politico. “Politics, regardless of your side or views, should not encroach on the freedom in the game of the right to gather and dine. There is a time and a place for everything. Disturbing the dinner of all our customers was an act of selfishness and lack of decency.’ ShutDown DC responded to the criticism by saying on Twitter, “No rights for us, no peace for you. Get f–ked @mortons.” Wednesday’s demonstration is the latest in a series of protests targeting conservative justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade on June 24. The majority of the protests have taken place outside the judges’ houses. Cavanaugh himself was the target of an assassination attempt last month when a California man was arrested near his home in suburban Maryland with a suitcase and a backpack containing a police vest, a tactical knife, pepper spray, zip ties, a Glock pistol 17 and two magazines and ammunition. The suspect has since been charged with attempted murder of a Supreme Court judge. When asked Friday if President Biden believed it was appropriate for protesters to “intimidate” judges, White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre said “we condemn any intimidation of judges” — but repeatedly refused to disavow the restaurant’s protest. “Would you say ‘Don’t go to a restaurant where a Supreme Court Justice is in’?” asked Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy. Activists reportedly bombarded Morton’s Steakhouse in Washington after hearing about Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s appearance.Erin Schaff-Pool/Getty Images “What I am saying is that we condemn any intimidation when it comes to judges,” the press secretary reiterated. “We have been, the President has spoken about it and we have made statements.” “So where’s the line?” Ducey asked later in the exchange. “If these protesters can go to a justice’s house and they can go to a restaurant, where is it that you don’t think it’s appropriate for a group of protesters to go?” “I was just clarifying—you asked me about bullying. We condemn intimidation, we condemn all violence,” Jean-Pierre repeated. “And we were very clear. That is, it is a clear definition of what violence is or what bullying is. Peaceful protests, people should be allowed to be able to do that. Abortion rights protesters have recently targeted the homes of conservative Supreme Court justices in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade.Erin Schaff-Pool/Getty Images “In a restaurant?” Ducey asked. Nodding, Jean-Pierre replied, “If it’s outside a restaurant, if it’s quiet, sure.” “Really?” Ducie asked incredulously. “Peaceful protest,” Jean-Pierre doubled down, “Whereas your question to me was ‘bullying.’ Pro-choice supporters march near the home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in Chevy Chase, Maryland on May 18, 2022. Bonnie Cash/Getty Images “So these judges, because protesters don’t agree with an opinion they signed, don’t have a right to privacy, is that what you’re saying?” Doocy followed. “But Peter, that’s it, that’s it — people have the right,” the White House spokesman responded. “This is democracy.” “Of course people have a right to privacy, but people also have a right to be able to protest peacefully — peacefully,” the spokesperson continued. “It is intimidation and violence that we condemn.” After a further exchange, Jean-Pierre interrupted Doocy’s line of questioning with a haughty, “I’m done here, Peter.”
