Trump’s Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh on track for lifetime job

Brett Kavanaugh's lifetime seat on the US Supreme Court looks all but confirmed after two key senators said they would support the judge's nomination.

On Friday, two senators who were considered swing votes - Republican Susan Collins and Democrat Joe Manchin - said they would support Kavanaugh, despite accusations of sexual misconduct against the judge. With this support, he is on track for confirmation.

University professor Christine Blasey Ford accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her when they were high school students in Maryland in 1982. Two other women have also made accusations of sexual misconducts against him.

Collins explained to the Senate floor she backed Kavanaugh as Ford's accusations "fail to meet the more-likely-than-not standard".

The final Senate vote is likely to happen on Saturday.

The US Senate narrowly advanced President Donald Trump's nominee to a final vote by voting to strictly limit debate on the issue on Friday.

In reaction to Friday’s vote, he tweeted: “Very proud of the U.S. Senate for voting “YES” to advance the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh!”

The US First Lady Melania Trump said on Saturday Kavanaugh is highly qualified for the Supreme Court and that she was glad both he and Ford were heard.

Kavanaugh has previously said in a testimony during the confirmation process that the accusations against him were part of a "political hit" by Democrats, who are trying to take control of the US Congress from the Republicans in an election next month.

The Kavanaugh fight has come at a critical moment of the #MeToo social media movement against sexual harassment and assault.

Hundreds of protesters against the nomination were arrested on Friday night in Senate office buildings, the Capitol Building, and outside the Supreme Court.