For weeks, Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has been barraged with pointed questions relating to his judicial record as Republican prepare him through a series of mock hearings ahead of what is set to be a fierce political showdown at next week's confirmation hearing, reports the Washington Post.

The details: The private sessions were designed by the White House in an effort to get Kavanaugh confirmed. The hearings to fill the seat left by the retirement of Justice Kennedy is expected to be a tense showdown, specifically with Democrats — a reflection of their determination to sink his nomination — even though they have very few options to derail it. The questions range from his view on abortion rights to executive power and his time in the Bush White House, the Post details.