Buttigieg defends Kavanaugh demonstrators' right to protest

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is defended the abortion-rights demonstrator who last week protested outside of a Washington, D.C., restaurant in which Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was eating dinner.

Kavanaugh was among the conservative-leaning justices who last month struck down Roe v. Wade, the decades-old law the provide a constitutional right to abortion. He and others in the high court's conservative majority have been the target of protests since their intentions to overturn Roe were leaked in May. 

"People are upset," Buttigieg said on "Fox News Sunday." "They’re going to exercise their First Amendment rights. As long as that’s peaceful, that’s protected."

He also attempt to make the distinction between public officials being subject to criticism vs. dangerous behavior.

"The bottom line is this: Any public figure should always, always be free from violence, intimidation and harassment, but should never be free from criticism, or people exercising their First Amendment rights," Buttigieg also said. 

Kavanaugh last week reportedly left the restaurant through a back door as the protesters gathered in front. He also reportedly did not notice the protesters and left after finishing his dinner.

When Buttigieg was asked Sunday whether he'd be OK with protesters demonstrating against him while he was eating at a restaurant, he replied: "Protesting peacefully outside in a public space? Sure. Look, I can’t even tell you the number of spaces, venues and scenarios where I’ve been protested."

Congress last month approved new security measures to protect Supreme Court justices and their families after an armed man was arrested in front of Kavanaugh's home and charged with attempted murder.