United States lawmakers began a hearing today on a new candidate for the Supreme Court. President Donald Trump has nominated Brett Kavanaugh to replace Anthony Kennedy, who retired earlier this year. On the first day of the hearing, protestors shouted their disapprovals as Kavanaugh promised to be a “team player” on the court. The remark was notable because the nine justices on the Supreme Court can act like nine separate law firms. And, when the group decides cases, justices often split into the same two groups conservative and liberal. But Kavanaugh appeared to reject the idea that he would be on either the conservative or liberal side. He said he would not decide cases on his personal views. Instead, he promised to decide cases “according to the Constitution and laws of the United States.” However, independent observers note that Kavanaugh’s earlier rulings as a judge are generally considered conservative.