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Democrats on Thursday criticized the FBI's investigation into charges of sexual misconduct against Supreme Court candidate Brett Kavanaugh, describing the act as "sham" and "horrible camouflage".
Lawmakers spoke after accessing the report in a secure facility, claiming the investigation was limited in scope and incomplete and claiming that the White House had directed the FBI's investigation, leaving large witnesses to the list of interviews.
"The whole thing is fictitious – five days to conduct the investigation," said Senator Tim Kaine, D-Va.
Kaine noted that many witnesses who may have relevant information about the allegations have not been interviewed. He quoted Deborah Ramirez, who accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct while they were students at Yale; any corroborating witnesses were not interviewed.
"And so, here's what they do." There is now a report – one copy – only one copy is available at the SCIF in the Senate, "he said, referring to a safe place where legislators can read the report. report for a limited period. "So they do not want 100 senators to read it, I'm not allowed to discuss it, the public can not see it, it's a complete sham."
Senator Robert Menendez, D-N.J., Had even harsher words.
Senator Jeff Merkley, D-Ore, questioned the legitimacy of the probe in a tweet after being informed Thursday.
"I read the FBI report. This whole thing is a sham. This stifled and strangled investigation was intended to provide coverage, not to reveal the truth, "he said.
After reading the report, he later told CNN: "This is an example of the horrible concealment of this investigation."
Senators are not allowed to speak publicly about the content of the FBI Background Check Report, which is the standard procedure in such cases.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Scheduled a Friday procedural vote on Kavanaugh, which would set in motion a full Senate vote no earlier than Saturday. After being briefed by FBI report staff, the Senate Judiciary Committee Chair, Senator Chuck Grassley of R-Iowa, said he had "found no trace of fault".
A demonstration was held in Washington before the US District Court, where Kavanaugh sits, and in the Supreme Court. Several groups have also planned demonstrations for the end of Thursday and the weekend.
Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Led one of the protests in DC's circuit court A little earlier, the Massachusetts legislator had stated in a tweet that the report was evidence that the government was trying to to force Kavanaugh's confirmation process to "at all costs".
"Not even a full week for an FBI investigation – it's a pretense," Warren said in a tweet. "@SenateMajLdr McConnell said he was going to play Brett Kavanaugh, and that's exactly what the GOP does, regardless of the cost. "
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore, tweeted Thursday that President Donald Trump "has said he wants a thorough background check.What he has delivered is a whitewash.An investigation is not legitimate if any Dozens of key witnesses are never questioned and the Senate will commit a serious mistake if it confirms this candidate. "
Senator Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said on MSNBC's "Mitchell Mitchell Reports" that the FBI report is "terribly incomplete" and suggested that "it smells of chaos, even camouflage". . "
"There are certainly indications of misconduct that should have been pursued," said Blumenthal. "It's really the story of unsuccessful leads, unanswered questions, and unasked witnesses. And, this raises more questions than answers.
He also said the FBI had neglected his obligation to fully respond to compensation claims, but he did not think the FBI was entirely responsible for it.
"I think the responsibility of the White House is at the origin of this investigation," he said.
Senator Cory Booker, D-N.J., Who also sits on the Judiciary Committee, said after being informed of the report that there had been "evidence of misconduct".
"It is very frustrating not to have conducted a thorough investigation, to have interviewed all relevant witnesses, not to have interviewed all potential eyewitnesses, to have interviewed the corroborating witnesses," said Booker. "I'm actually shocked, I'm actually shocked."
Senator Patrick Leahy, vice-chair, also a member of the committee, said: "The White House has obviously limited what it could examine and the White House has obviously controlled the process, raising issues of credibility in my spirit."
Senator Kamala Harris, D-Calif., Another member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said, "This so-called investigation leaves many more questions than answers."
When asked if the report contained new information, she replied, "No.
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