Just one day after the shocking assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk — and on the 24th anniversary of 9/11 —  civility and the need for civil discourse was the overriding message of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh as he spoke to a crowd of about 2,500 as part of McLennan Community College’s Ken Starr Lecture Series on September, 11, 2025 in the Highlands Gym. 

“I think it’s really important for all of us as citizens not only to be civil … and collegial, but also to be positive and optimistic about the future,” Kavanaugh said.  

He said that’s a lesson he learned while working with President George W. Bush when he led the country out of another “dark moment” on September 11, 2001. 

A handful of protesters with signs lined the sidewalk across the street from the venue, but no protests took place inside. Security presence was high with the Waco Police Department, McLennan County Sheriff’s Department, MCC’s Police Department and Kavanaugh’s own security team in place, according to officials. 

MCC American history professor Ashley Cruseturner served as moderator for the event, where the conversation was informal and the mood was light. Audience members got to see a relaxed, humble and even humorous side of Kavanaugh, who also talked about his impressions of Texas and running three miles in 103-degree heat while visiting Bush at his Crawford ranch. 

The audience included a number of elected officials — local, state and federal. 

“I knew Justice Kavanaugh was a constitutional scholar and possessed a keen intellect, but I really thought his humanity and his humility were on display tonight,” McLennan County Judge Pat Atkins told WACOAN. “I really appreciated his insights on civility and collegiality and the unique role of the judiciary. Those were words folks needed to hear. It’s really important for the country at times like this.” 

State Rep. Pat Curry said Kavanaugh’s words were a reminder of his duty to the people he represents. 

“He talked about unity in our country, which is a big deal right now,” Curry said. “And being collegial and being respectful of each other. Whether in his position or my position or Pete Sessions’ position, we all represent all of the people in the country or in the state. To see such a fresh reminder of that from somebody in a position of his power and see how humble he is, it’s an honor for me.” 

Questions were a mix of scholarly inquiries and community questions that were submitted in advance. Cruseturner led off by asking Kavanaugh what he thinks is the genius of the Constitution. 

“I think the genius of the Constitution is the separation of powers,” Kavanaugh said. “The framers recognized, in a way that I think is brilliant, that preserving liberty requires separating power. No one person or group of people should have too much power in our system.”  

He added: “The separation of power protects individual liberty … by preventing concentration of power, thereby ensuring each person can live in liberty.” 

In describing the role of the Supreme Court, Kavanaugh said that being independent judges is key, especially when it comes to deciding cases that involve free speech, protecting religious freedom or criminal defendants.  

“We need to be independent because we are going to make unpopular decisions,” he said. “Our job is to enforce and apply the law regardless of whether it’s popular in a particular case. In other words, do the right thing, not the popular thing.” 

For that, Kavanaugh got a round of applause. He then compared being a Supreme Court Justice to being an umpire. “Did you ever cheer for an umpire,” he asked the audience, making them laugh. 

“One of the things that makes a good umpire or referee is consistency, calling it the same way for both teams,” he said. “As judges we really have to look in the mirror. Are we doing things the same way for Republicans and Democrats, the business interest and the labor interest, the developer and the environmental interest? We have to look in the mirror and be sure over time that we are being consistent in how we apply our principles. And we have to ensure the losing party respects the decision.” 

Photo Credit: Gretchen Eichenberg

A private school leader in Waco submitted the question: What lessons about justice, fairness and civic responsibility do you believe every young American should carry with them into adulthood. Kavanaugh referred to an English teacher who taught “To Kill A Mockingbird” and told him the lesson in the book was standing in someone else’s shoes. 

“That’s a reminder to me to be a good judge, a good person and good citizen that we all have to stand in each other’s shoes to understand different perspectives.” 

Kavanaugh gave insight into how the nine Supreme Court Justices work to practice civility in their day-to-day job. 

“In our conference room, it’s just the nine of us in there, no staff, and we’re talking about all the weightiest cases we have on our docket. The level of respect and preparation as we go around the table in order of seniority. No one can talk twice until everyone has talked once. In seven years there, I’ve never heard someone yell, say something sarcastic, rude. It’s a level of respect in the room that’s helping us all talk together to find the best answer to all the cases we have.” 

He added that their different judicial philosophies are part of why they may disagree on particular cases but said all his colleagues are “patriots and devoted to the Constitution.” 

Ellen Weaver, a sophomore at Vanguard College Preparatory School, attended the event. 

“I loved how he said that you can have these nine people who can have such different opinions, world views and religions and they can all come together and have civility and respect for each other as good people,” she said. 

Kavanaugh gave a shoutout to the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as being a role model for everyone on the court and said he “misses her terribly.” Kavanaugh said that during his first year on the Supreme Court, when he faced scrutiny and criticism, Ginsburg “had his back.” 

“She taught me as much as anyone about the collegiality of the Supreme Court and the civility,” he said.  

Brown v. Board of Education, Kavanaugh said, is the greatest decision in Supreme Court history and this country’s history. 

“It declared the principal of racial equality,” he said. “And we’re still trying to always live up to that. The way the court courageously and unanimously came together in that case to issue that ruling is a great moment.”