President Trump apologized to Justice Brett Kavanaugh and the Kavanaugh family Monday night at a ceremonial swearing-in "for the pain and suffering” they experienced during the confirmation process.

“You, sir, under historic scrutiny, were proven innocent,” Mr. Trump said at the White House.

Justice Kavanaugh, in remarks after taking the judicial oath, thanked Mr. Trump for his "steadfast" and "unwavering" support during the confirmation process.

"Mr. President, thank you for everything," he said.

He called the Senate confirmation process "contentious and emotional" but said he takes the office “with gratitude, and no bitterness."

Justice Kavanaugh added that, inspired by his mother, he had hired four female law clerks, which he said was a "first in the history of the Supreme Court."

The ceremony was attended by a handful of Republican senators—including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.), who received a standing ovation as he entered the room—as well as by the other eight Supreme Court justices. White House Counsel Don McGahn, who shepherded Justice Kavanaugh's confirmation and whom the judge called a "warrior for fairness," also won several rounds of applause.

Justice Kavanaugh was administered the constitutional oath on Saturday by Chief Justice John Roberts.