It’s not surprising that Facebook had a lieutenant at the Kavanaugh hearing. Joel Kaplan, Facebook’s Vice President of Global Policy, a long-time friend of Kavanaugh was there showing support, and by association this conveys support from Facebook.
Facebook pushes legal boundaries and plays in areas that have not yet been settled by law. There’s a good chance that issues sensitive to their business interests will at some point come before the Supreme Court. Kavanaugh will remember this gesture of support and be predisposition to act favorably — even if just subconsciously.
Employee anger can be smoothed over. A negative Supreme Court decision can be devastating.