'We can't have this on the court': Jeff Flake condemns Kavanaugh for 'partisan' testimony

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) on Tuesday suggested that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh should not be confirmed if his behavior on the court will reflect his "partisan" testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

While speaking at The Atlantic Fest on Tuesday, Flake noted that he was disappointed in the tone that Kavanaugh had adopted while defending himself against sexual assault accusations.

"The Supreme Court is still... the last institution that most Americans have faith in," Flake said. "That is how it has worked for us to cede so much authority and to give so much power to the Supreme Court because people still have faith."

According to the Republican senator, the country will be in trouble "if that faith is gone."

"I was very troubled by the tone of the remarks," Flake said of Kavanaugh's testimony. "The initial defense that Judge Kavanaugh gave was something -- like I told my wife I hoped I wouldn't sound that indignant if I felt that I was unjustly maligned."

"But then it went on," he pointed out. "And the interaction with the members was sharp and partisan. And that concerns me. And I tell myself you give a little leeway because of what he's been through."

Flake added: "On the other hand, we can't have this on the court. We simply can't."

Watch the video below from The Atlantic.