Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh accused Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday of leveraging anti-Trump sentiment following the bruising 2016 presidential election into a smear campaign designed to tarnish his reputation and sink his confirmation.

"This whole two-week effort has been a calculated and orchestrated political hit, fueled with apparent pent-up anger about President Trump and the 2016 election. Fear that has been unfairly stoked about my judicial record, revenge on behalf of the Clintons, and millions of dollars in money from outside, left-wing opposition groups," Kavanaugh said during opening remarks before the panel.

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Kavanaugh: "This whole two-week effort has been a calculated and orchestrated political hit. Fueled with apparent pent-up anger about president Trump and the 2016 election." pic.twitter.com/2C9VN1hhiI — Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) September 27, 2018



Kavanaugh, in remarks that diverged from the prepared statement submitted Wednesday to the committee, echoed Trump as he defended himself, calling the process "a national disgrace." Trump described the Democrats on Wednesday as "con artists" for their handling of the matter.

“I think when you really look at it all, it’s not going to change any of the Democrats’ minds,” Trump said during a press conference in New York City. “They’re obstructionists. They’re actually con artists because they know how quality this man is, and they have destroyed this man’s reputation.”

Kavanaugh, who worked in the George W. Bush administration and assisted independent counsel Ken Starr investigate former President Bill Clinton, has been accused by Christine Blasey Ford of sexually assaulting her during a Maryland high school party in 1982 when she was 15 and he was 17. Ford testified before Kavanaugh did.

Kavanaugh has "categorically and unequivocally" denied Ford's claim.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on Kavanaugh's nomination to the country's highest court as early as Friday.