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

Donald Trump says 'wouldn't bother me at all' if FBI were to interview third Brett Kavanaugh accuser

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.

Please allow a moment for our liveblog to load

Key Points

• Trump 'wants FBI to interview' Kavanaugh accuser Julie Swetnick
• Ex-FBI director James Comey says probe 'designed to thwart fact-gathering'
• Chuck Schumer says Kavanaugh delivered 'partisan screed' to Senate and is 'not credible'

[2 October 2018 15:50 · Chris Riotta]

Lindsey Graham, who did not mince words when discussing the “hell” Democrats allegedly put Brett Kavanaugh through during last week’s hearings, has now said mainstream media networks also played a role in the embattled Supreme Court nominee’s demise. 

The Republican senator claimed NBC had been a “co-conspirator in the destruction of Kavanaugh” during a Fox News interview last night. 

[2 October 2018 16:00 · Chris Riotta]

As the FBI continues its investigation into sexual assault accusations against Brett Kavanaugh, reports indicate at least six of the embattled Supreme Court nominee’s former classmates have since spoken out about his drinking habits — with several contradicting his claims that he had never blacked out. 

Those former classmates are Liz Swisher, Lynne Brookes, Daniel Lavan, James Roche, Kit Winter and Chad Ludington. 

[2 October 2018 16:15 · Chris Riotta]

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has remained emphatic about holding a vote to confirm embattled Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh this week, in spite of an ongoing FBI investigation into numerous accusations of sexual assault against the man Donald Trump chose to head to the nation’s highest court. 

Mr McConnell said today, “The time for endless delay and obstruction has come to a close.”

He added, “Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination is out of committee. We’re considering it here on the floor and … we’ll be voting this week.”

[2 October 2018 16:30 · Chris Riotta]

Below is a clip from NBC News’ exclusive interview with Julie Swetnick, the third accuser who alleged Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct. She claims to have seen the Supreme Court nominee attempting to remove women’s clothes during high school parties the two attended over 30 years ago, which Mr Kavanaugh has denied. The full interview will air on Sunday night. 

[2 October 2018 16:45 · Chris Riotta]

Susan Collins wants the FBI to investigate Julie Swetnick's allegations, the Press-Herald has reported. The Republican senator said the FBI investigators should begin their probe with the four witnesses listed in last week’s hearings but pursue “appropriate” leads where necessary. 

[2 October 2018 17:00 · Chris Riotta]

Mitch McConnell spoke on the Senate floor Tuesday to discuss what he described as the Democrats’ mission of destroying Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination, as the FBI continued its probe into numerous accusations of sexual assault against him.

The Senate majority leader said in his speech that Democrats “will not be satisfied unless they have brought down Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination,” vowing to hold a vote this week on whether or not to confirm the embattled nominee.

[2 October 2018 17:50 · Chris Riotta]

While Democrats and Republicans have vastly opposing views on the embattled Supreme Court nominee, Lindsey Graham appears to be Brett Kavanaugh’s most ardent supporter on Capitol Hill. 

In a statement made Tuesday, the senator said, “If his nomination to fall short, I would encourage President Trump to re-nominate Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.”

 

[2 October 2018 18:10 · Chris Riotta]

Jeff Flake has continued to express concerns about Brett Kavanaugh after demanding the FBI renew its investigation into the embattled Supreme Court nominee during a Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Thursday of last week. 

Speaking at The Atlantic fest on Tuesday, the Republican senator called Mr Kavanaugh “partisan” and suggested that could be a problem if he were to be seated on the nation’s highest court. 

Still, Mr Flake appeared to stop just short of saying he would vote “no” on Mr Kavanaugh’s nomination.

[2 October 2018 18:23 · Chris Riotta]

Here's the full statement from Lindsey Graham recommending Donald Trump re-nominate Brett Kavanaugh if his Supreme Court confirmation battle does not end in his favour. 

[2 October 2018 18:30 · Chris Riotta]

Alicia Keys, Michael Stipe and other celebrities are planning to protest Brett Kavanaugh outside of the Supreme Court, the Washington Post has reported.