TIME magazine’s Top 100 list was published on Wednesday and two of the picks probably never thought they would end up on the same list for anything.
Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford — who accused him of sexual assault last year — were recognized by TIME, though for two very different things.
The Top 100 list had many separate categories and Kavanaugh made the influential leaders list while Ford made the cut in the icon category.
2020 Democrat presidential candidate Kamala Harris wrote about Christine Blasey Ford for the magazine and she delivered nothing but praise for the woman who accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault — an FBI investigation cleared Kavanaugh of any wrong doing and he was later confirmed to the Supreme Court.
“Her story, spoken while holding back tears, shook Washington and the country. Her courage, in the face of those who wished to silence her, galvanized Americans. And her unfathomable sacrifice, out of a sense of civic duty, shined a spotlight on the way we treat survivors of sexual violence,” Harris wrote about Ford.
Kamala Harris went on to say that Ford “risked everything” to tell share story with the Senate Judiciary Committee last year.
“Christine Blasey Ford’s ambition wasn’t to become a household name or make it onto this list. She had a good life and a successful career — and risked everything to send a warning in a moment of grave consequence,” wrote Harris.
Kavanaugh’s section had words from Sen. Mitch McConnell. The senator called Kavanaugh one of the “most qualified Supreme Court nominees in modern history.”
He went on to say that Americans witnessed Kavanaugh’s “resilience” when “unhinged partisanship and special interests” tried to distract the public before the judge could be confirmed to his current position.
“The country saw his resilience and commitment to public service,” said McConnell. “We saw his loyal devotion to family and friends. We saw his undeterred reverence for the law, for precedents and for our nation’s highest traditions.”
The left wing criticized TIME for recognizing Christine Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh on the list.
Hollywood actress, activist and Democrat donor Jessica Chastain wrote on Twitter that it was “so disappointing” to see Ford and Kavanaugh recognized on the same list.
“You put her on the same list as the man she said assaulted her. So disappointing,” the actress wrote.
“Imagine making Time’s 100 Most Influential People list because you accused a prominent man of sexual assault, and then finding out he is on the same list. How many ways can we keep re-traumatizing Blasey Ford?” wrote another Twitter user in reaction to TIME’s unusual list choice.
Another congratulated Ford and other left-wing figures like Ford making the list and then said, “I am sorry you have to all share this list with Donald Trump and Brett Kavanaugh!”
