Democrats slam FBI’s handling of whistleblower line in Kavanaugh inquiry

Democrats on Senate Judiciary Committee slam FBI for handling the whistleblowing line in its probe into allegations of sexual misconduct by the current Supreme Court judge Brett KavanaughBrett Michael Kavanaugh No reason to pack Trump’s court “very disappointed” with Kavanaugh’s votes: “Where would he be without me?” Supreme Court refuses to challenge eminent area MORE.

The Democrats, led by Sens. Sheldon White HouseSheldon Whitehouse Officials warn of cybersecurity vulnerabilities in water supply systems Democrats seek to tackle climate change with import tax On The Money: Democrats reach deal on .5T objective | Biden rallies Democrats: ‘We’ll get there’ MORE (RI) and Chris CoonChris Andrew CoonsBiparty Group Says Still On Track After Senate Setback Kaseya Ransomware Attack Highlights Small Business Cyber ​​Vulnerabilities Manchin Will Back Controversial Public Land Candidate | White House details its environmental justice plan MORE (From.), wrote a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray on Wednesday seeking answers after the agency revealed it had gathered more than 4,500 tips as part of its investigation into the allegations against Kavanaugh.

Lawmakers wrote that the revelation “confirms that the FBI’s briefing line was a departure from past practice and that the FBI was politically coerced by Trump’s White House.”

“It also belies the former president’s insistence that his administration has not limited the Bureau’s investigation of Judge Kavanaugh, and his claim that he” wants to[ed] the FBI to interview anyone [sic] see fit, at their discretion, ”lawmakers said.

FBI Deputy Director Jill Tyson wrote to Whitehouse and Coons June 30, revealing the number of tips the agency received in connection with the investigation.

Tyson was responding to an August 2019 survey, in which Whitehouse and Coons expressed concerns that the White House had set limits on the investigation.

Tyson said Kavanaugh’s appointment was the first time the FBI had set up a referral line for a candidate under Senate confirmation. She said all “relevant advice” has been referred to the White House council office.

It was not clear from Tyson’s letter whether the FBI acted on any of the advice.

Lawmakers said Tuesday the details “corroborate and explain many credible accounts” of people who said they contacted the FBI with information but were ignored.

“If the FBI was unauthorized or did not act on any of the advice it received from the advice line, it is difficult to understand the value of having a advice line at all,” said they wrote.

Kavanaugh was confirmed in October 2018 despite multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against him, which he denied.

Christine Blasey Ford testified under oath in the Senate saying Kavanaugh pinned her to a bed and tried to remove her clothes when they were in high school. Other women then spoke out against him.

Whitehouse and Coons were joined by Senate Judicial Chairman Dick Durban (D-Ill.), Patrick leahyPatrick Joseph Leahy Lawmakers Spend More on Personal Security Following Insurgency Senate Unanimously Passes Bill to Strengthen Crime Victims Fund (D-Vt.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mazie hironoMazie Keiko HironoBiden’s crackdown on disinformation highlights partisan divide over content reform. (D-Hawaii), and Cory bookerCory BookerBiden: Republicans Who Say Democrats Want To Fund Police Lies For True American Prosperity Make Child Tax Credit Permanent Biden Needs To Help End Federal Cannabis Ban MORE (DN.J.)