Time honors Brett Kavanaugh on 'Most Influential' list — along with his accuser, Christine Blasey Ford

Time magazine on Wednesday released its annual list of the “100 Most Influential People” in the world. And its inclusion of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh along with the woman who accused him of sexual assault, Christine Blasey Ford, drew criticism from those who believed her allegations.

Last October, the Senate voted narrowly to confirm Kavanaugh to the nation’s highest court, ending a bitterly divisive nomination fight that included allegations of misbehavior from multiple women, which he denied. During his confirmation hearing, Ford testified that Kavanaugh attempted to rape her at a party when they were teenagers.

“You put her on the same list as the man she said assaulted her,” actress Jessica Chastain tweeted. “So disappointing.”

“TIME magazine profiling Christine Blasey Ford alongside the man who sexually assaulted her is peak ‘both sides’ and I’m so tired,” author Jessica Valenti tweeted. “Here’s this incredible brave woman ... and the man who tried to rape her!”

Kavanaugh was included in the “Leaders” section. Ford was among the “Icons.”

A spokeswoman for the magazine declined to comment.

The list, which was first published in 1999, recognizes people “who inspire us, entertain us, challenge us and change our world” — but not necessarily for the better.

Every year, the list features controversial choices — past selections include Syrian President Bashar Assad, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and Mullah Mohammad Omar, the spiritual leader of the Taliban. Time also enlisted celebrities or past recipients to write some of the entries.

Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., wrote about Ford.

“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,” Harris wrote. “And her unfathomable sacrifice, out of a sense of civic duty, shined a spotlight on the way we treat survivors of sexual violence.”

Harris added: “Through her courage, she forced the country to reckon with an issue that has too often been ignored and kept in the dark.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who shepherded Kavanaugh through his Senate confirmation, wrote the one for the associate justice. (McConnell himself is on the list, and the tribute to him was written by retired Speaker of the House John Boehner.)

“He was one of the most qualified Supreme Court nominees in modern history. He had a sterling academic record, impeccable legal credentials and a prolific record of thoughtful and impartial jurisprudence,” McConnell wrote. “But when unhinged partisanship and special interests sought to distract the Senate from considering those qualifications, we saw other facets of Justice Kavanaugh’s character shine forth as well. The country saw his resilience and commitment to public service. 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.”

McConnell added: “It is all these qualities combined that make Justice Kavanaugh exactly the kind of jurist whom the American people deserve on our Supreme Court.”

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:

• AOC: Trump is 'absolutely' trying to incite violence against Omar

• Trump confirms possible plan to send immigrants to sanctuary cities

• Bernie Sanders supports letting jailed felons vote in elections

• Buttigieg suggests Pence offered him empty praise when he came out

• AOC on ‘Game of Thrones’ finale: It’d be ‘badass’ if it ended in democracy