Lindsey Graham Criticized For ‘Single White Man’ & ‘I Will Not Shut Up’ Comments At Kavanaugh Hearings [VIDEO]

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) was one of the key lawmakers to explicitly defend Brett Kavanaugh in Thursday’s hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee, and he is standing by his comments.

The 63-year-old South Carolina Republican was criticized after saying he “will not shut up” despite his status as a “white single man.”

“I know I’m a single white male from South Carolina, and I’m told I should shut up, but I will not shut up, if that’s ok. Because I got here the same way anyone else did, ” said Graham before going on a long tirade.

Sen. Lindsey Graham: “I know I’m a single white male from South Carolina, and I’m told I should shut up, but I will not shut up, if that’s okay.” https://t.co/iKsKxRUq9t pic.twitter.com/VuU9RYQeAw

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— ABC News (@ABC) September 28, 2018

On Thursday, Graham called the treatment of Kavanaugh an “unethical sham” and dismissed Dr. Christine Blasey Ford‘s sexual assault allegations against the Supreme Court nominee as “garbage.”

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Despite these controversial remarks, several people praised Graham, including White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. 

.@LindseyGrahamSC has more decency and courage than every Democrat member of the committee combined. God bless him.

— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) September 27, 2018

Several people quickly jumped on Twitter to slam the South Carolina senator for his tantrum.

Lindsey Graham: aggrieved confirmed bachelor. https://t.co/Pwg5Xw8Xj1

— Joe Reid (@joereid) September 28, 2018

Definitely being reminded of why people were telling Lindsey Graham to shut up.

— Elika Sadeghi (@steakNstiffarms) September 28, 2018

“…I’m a straight white male and I know I’m supposed to shut up…”

FUCK YOU @LindseyGrahamSC .

— Elon James White (@elonjames) September 28, 2018

Oh eat it, Lindsey Graham: “I am a white man from South Carolina and I know I’m supposed to shut up but I’m not going to shut up.”

We really need to give more air time to white guys to express themselves. We must stop silencing white dudes. They are so oppressed.

— Imani Gandy o—€ (@AngryBlackLady) September 28, 2018

When I hear @LindseyGrahamSC complain about being told to shut up as a single white man. #KavanaughConfirmationHearings #KavaNOPE pic.twitter.com/U85kYMB5zM

— Nicole Moore (@nicolemoore9) September 28, 2018

@LindseyGrahamSC I felt like I was watching Harrod. Pompous and smug. Puffed up with power and gloating about being having the power to bully sexual assault victims into silence. I would cast you as the boy who kept watch. Because you are.

— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) September 28, 2018

No @LindseyGrahamSC , your despicable behavior and comments send a msg to all sexual assault victims that they should just shut up & stay silent b/c u won’t believe them anyway if it’s not politically convenient.

Nice way to stoke more racism & sexism Senator. https://t.co/SxSbgzKqKW

— Tara Setmayer (@TaraSetmayer) September 28, 2018

On Friday afternoon, President Donald Trump ordered the FBI to conduct “a supplemental investigation” into Kavanaugh, and said the inquiry should be “limited in scope and completed in less than one week.”

Kavanaugh has been accused of sexual misconduct by four women, including Ford. Trump had previously slammed two of the judge’s accusers.