Brett Kavanaugh: Trump says it is 'not acceptable' if Supreme Court nominee lied in testimony as FBI completes initial investigation
Follow the latest updates on the investigation into the assault claims against the Supreme Court nominee and the political fallout in Washington
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Democrats are questioning the truthfulness of Brett Kavanaugh‘s sworn testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee as the FBI continues its investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against Donald Trump's candidate for the Supreme Court.
The bureau has been given approval by the White House to speak to anyone it feels it needs to as part of its probe into the nominee’s past, following criticism its initial scope was too limited. The investigation, delaying Mr Kavanaugh’s confirmation, was instigated following Dr Christine Blasey Ford's Senate appearance to accuse the judge of sexually assaulting her at a college party in the 1980s.
Mr Kavanaugh has categorically denied any sexual misconduct ever occurred.
Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democrats’ leader from New York, has meanwhile said Mr Kavanaugh “misled senators about everything from the momentous to the mundane” to ensure his ascension to the high court.
Mr Trump, speaking to reporters on Tuesday, suggested that the Kavanaugh accusations show it is "a very scary time for young men in America," and claimed that men in America are now "guilty until proven innocent" — a standard he claimed was a dangerous precedent to set in the United States.
The president also praised his nominee's performance during his hearing on Thursday, when he defended himself against the accusations from Dr Ford. She had testified earlier on Thursday.
"I thought h did very well. He's fighting very hard for his reputation for his family," Mr Trump said on Tuesday. "I thought what happened was really tough. It was tough stuff".
Senator Lindsey Graham, who has been an outspoken supporter of Mr Kavanaugh's nomination, doubled down on his support as well, suggesting that the president should simply renominate Mr Kavanaugh if the Senate fails to confirm him.
"If his nomination were to fall short, I would encourage President Trump to re-nominate Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court," Mr Graham said in a statement released on Tuesday. "It would — in effect — be appealing the Senate's verdict directly to the American people".
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has suggested that he plans on bringing Mr Kavanaugh's nomination up for a vote in the Senate some time this week.
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Donald Trump just told reporters he hopes for a vote on Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme court nomination by the end of the week, but that depends on what the FBI investigation yields.
The president referred to his embattled Supreme Court nominee as “a rallying cry for the Republicans,” citing his rally in Tennessee last night. However, he added that the confirmation would be potentially compromised by whether Mr Kavanaugh had lied during his hearings.
He then began to say it’s a scary time for young men in America in the midst of the Me Too movement, claiming, “Now you’re guilty until you’re proven innocent.”
Seth Abramson, a former defence attorney and investigator, has posted a Twitter thread taking an “unvarnished” look at Julie Swetnick’s accusations of sexual misconduct against Brett Kavanaugh. The thread also discusses the previous two accusers and their claims against the embattled Supreme Court nominee.
Here's the latest from the AP on the bar fight Brett Kavanaugh was reportedly involved in during 1985:
Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh was accused of throwing ice at a man during an altercation at a bar while in college.
A report released Tuesday by police in New Haven, Connecticut, says Kavanaugh was questioned after the 1985 incident, but wasn’t arrested.
The report says 21-year-old Dom Cozzolino told police that Kavanaugh threw ice at him for “some unknown reason.” Cozzolino said he then got hit on the ear with a glass.
A witness told police the man who threw the glass was Chris Dudley, Kavanaugh’s close friend. Chad Ludington, another Yale classmate, told The New York Times the altercation happened while they were drinking at a bar after a concert.
Dudley and Cozzolino didn’t immediately return messages on Tuesday.
The White House noted that Kavanaugh wasn’t arrested or charged and questioned the incident’s relevance.
Read The Independent’s article on Brett Kavanaugh’s college roommate who said he was never contacted by the FBI for previous background checks the federal judge went through before being nominated to the Supreme Court.
Here's video of Donald Trump earlier today discussing Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination, saying "It's a very scary time for young men in America."
A tweet posted by Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu has gone viral today regarding the embattled supreme Court nominee’s claims about “Devil’s Triangle” at his hearings last week.
The congressman was clear in his message that the judge committed “an extended lie under oath.”
Lindsey Graham has once again spoken out against new criticisms concerning Brett Kavanaugh, telling reporters, “If this is the new normal, God help us all.”
Here's video of Hillary Clinton laughing off and joking about claims Brett Kavanaugh made during his hearings last week about the former secretary of state supposedly helping orchestrate his demise.
Nancy Pelosi has said it’s not her “plan” to impeach Brett Kavanaugh if the Supreme Court nominee is confirmed by the Senate this week.
“That would not be my plan,” the House minority leader told the Atlantic Festival in Washington. “I have enough people on my back to impeach the president.”
“It’s about unifying,” she added. “Let's hope, with the information that comes forward, and with the demonstration of temperament that is not judicial, that the Senate will do the right thing.”
A new poll indicated Brett Kavanaugh’s scandal has energised Democratic voters more so than Republicans, according to a Hill.TV and HarrisX polling company survey published Tuesday.
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