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John Wagner
National Journalist Leading the Post's New Politics Team
President Trump on Wednesday defended Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh, claiming that it was "very difficult for me to imagine anything" with the woman who accused the Supreme Court's candidate of the Supreme Court. having sexually assaulted the two teenagers.
The president's assessment came as he was not sure whether Christine Blasey Ford, Kavanaugh's accuser, would testify at a hearing on Monday, and that Republican senators were increasingly impatient for his plans.
Trump praised his nominee as "extraordinary man" with "an unblemished record" and said what he was experiencing was "unfair". But the president also said Ford deserved to be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
"If it shows up and makes a credible demonstration, it will be very interesting, and we will have to make a decision," he told reporters as he left the White House to study the damage caused by hurricanes.
Ford's lawyers told the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday that it wants the FBI to investigate its allegations before it testifies, leaving much to be desired if it comes Monday.
[Woman who accused Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault wants FBI to investigate incident before she testifies to Senate]
Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) told reporters that he was again addressing Ford on Wednesday to let her know that she could testify in public or in private.
"I am now focusing on everything we can to make Dr. Ford ready to appear before this committee," he said.
Grassley is even willing to send committee staff to speak to Ford in California if that's what she prefers, according to committee spokeswoman Garrett Ventry. Ford is a professor of psychology at Palo Alto University in California.
Grassley left open the possibility that the hearing will take place on Monday with only Kavanaugh present.
"We have no problem with the arrival of Kavanaugh, the only problem we have to have a successful hearing is to hear both sides," he said.
Republican senators report that they are ready to go ahead with a vote in committee for Kavanaugh next week, though this is the high stakes audience.
"After taking cognizance of the allegation, President @ChuckGrassley took immediate steps to ensure that Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh have the opportunity to be heard, publicly or privately. ", said Senator Bob Corker on Twitter Tuesday night. .
"The Republicans have reached out in good faith. If we do not hear from both sides on Monday, let's vote, "said Corker, who publicly urged the Senate to pause until legislators hear about Ford,
Senator Lindsey O. Graham (RS.C.), a prominent member of the Judiciary Committee, rejected calls to reopen an FBI inquiry into Kavanaugh as a delaying tactic and pushed the Senate to a vote in committee "as soon as possible. "
And Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Who like Corker wanted to quickly hear Ford, again urged him to appear before the committee.
"When Dr. Ford came forward, I said that his voice should be heard and asked the Judiciary Committee to postpone his vote on Judge Kavanaugh. He did it, "he said Tuesday night. "I'm now begging Dr. Ford to accept the invitation for Monday, in a public or private setting. The committee should hear its voice.
Trump told reporters that the FBI had been investigating Kavanaugh six times for federal jobs and suggested that it was useless to do it again.
There is a precedent for the FBI to intervene late in the Supreme Court appointment process. In 1991, when law professor Anita Hill claimed that Judge Clarence Thomas had now sexually harassed her, the FBI was called to investigate.
In Wednesday morning's tweets, Grassley said the commission's investigators were tracking Ford's allegations and no further external investigation was needed.
The FBI continued Wednesday to maintain its public position that it included information about the allegations in Kavanaugh's briefing book, and that it is now up to the White House to decide what to do with it.
A criminal investigation is essentially out of the question because what is alleged is not a federal crime.
The FBI would conduct a more in-depth investigation – for example by questioning Ford and other witnesses – if the White House asked for it, one person said, although the end result would probably not end the controversy.
The FBI would not compile a report offering an opinion, in one way or another, on the credibility of the allegations. On the contrary, he would provide the White House reports with the interviews and other evidence gathered, and leave it to the White House to decide what to do with the appointment of Kavanaugh.
Ford claimed that Kavanaugh and Kavanaugh were at a party in the early 1980s, while the two were in high school, Kavanaugh drugged her in a bed, groped her and passed her hand to quell her cries while he was trying undress.
Trump said the senators have been patient with Ford and that he hopes to be able to testify on Monday.
"If she shows up, it would be wonderful. If it does not show up, it would be a shame, "he said.
The president also sent new criticism to Senator Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), A member of the Democratic Committee on the Judiciary, for not criticizing Ford after receiving a letter detailing them in July. Feinstein said that she respected Ford's wish to remain anonymous, which changed once his name was leaked.
"Why did they wait until everything was finished and then bring it?" Asked Trump. "It does not look good."
Matt Zapotosky contributed to this report.
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