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Brett Kavanaugh: Trump backs FBI check on top court nominee Brett Kavanaugh: Trump's Supreme Court pick faces FBI inquiry
(about 1 hour later)
President Donald Trump has ordered an FBI investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against his nominee for the US Supreme Court.President Donald Trump has ordered an FBI investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against his nominee for the US Supreme Court.
The move came after a Senate committee voted to approve Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the top US court. A Senate committee earlier voted to approve Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the top US court.
But a Republican member only backed the move on the understanding that such an inquiry would occur.But a Republican member only backed the move on the understanding that such an inquiry would occur.
As a result, a full Senate vote on Judge Kavanaugh's confirmation has been delayed for up to a week.As a result, a full Senate vote on Judge Kavanaugh's confirmation has been delayed for up to a week.
The White House statement came after Republican leaders in the Senate agreed to support the request for an FBI inquiry. Judge Kavanaugh, an appeal court judge, denies allegations from at least three women.
Judge Kavanaugh denies allegations from at least three women. On Thursday, the committee heard testimony from Christine Blasey Ford, a professor of psychology in California, who says Judge Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when they were teenagers in the 1980s.
On Thursday, the committee heard testimony from Christine Blasey Ford, a professor of psychology in California, who says Judge Kavanaugh - nominated to the court by President Trump - sexually assaulted her when they were teenagers in the 1980s. Judge Kavanaugh also testified, angrily rejecting the allegation he had ever assaulted her or anyone else. He accused Democrats of politicising the process and harming his family and good name.
Judge Kavanaugh also testified on Thursday, angrily rejecting the allegation he had ever assaulted her or anyone else. He accused Democrats of politicising the process and harming his family and good name. What will the investigation do?
What might the FBI do in a week? Announcing the move, President Trump said: "I've ordered the FBI to conduct a supplemental investigation to update Judge Kavanaugh's file. As the Senate has requested, this update must be limited in scope and completed in less than one week."
An FBI investigation into the allegations against Judge Kavanaugh will not be a new inquiry. The inquiry will involve the FBI reopening its previously completed background check on Judge Kavanaugh. This might mean going back to old witnesses - or speaking to new ones.
The bureau will instead reopen its previously completed background check on Judge Kavanaugh. This might mean going back to old witnesses - or speaking to new ones.
Friday saw Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee throw out Democrat attempts to subpoena Mark Judge, a friend of Judge Kavanaugh who Dr Ford said had witnessed the assault on her 36 years ago.Friday saw Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee throw out Democrat attempts to subpoena Mark Judge, a friend of Judge Kavanaugh who Dr Ford said had witnessed the assault on her 36 years ago.
Mr Judge had told the committee in a written statement that he did not recall any such incident.Mr Judge had told the committee in a written statement that he did not recall any such incident.
After the committee had adjourned, Mr Judge's lawyer Barbara Van Gelder said: "If the FBI or any law enforcement agency requests Mr Judge's co-operation, he will answer any and all questions posed to him." Mr Judge's lawyer Barbara Van Gelder said: "If the FBI or any law enforcement agency requests Mr Judge's co-operation, he will answer any and all questions posed to him."
Responding to President Trump's statement, Judge Kavanaugh said "I've done everything they have requested and will continue to co-operate".
Dr Ford's lawyer, Debra Katz, said her client welcomed the step but questioned the time limit of a week.
"A thorough FBI investigation is critical to developing all the relevant facts... No artificial limits as to time or scope should be imposed on this investigation."
What led to this?What led to this?
On Friday, a day after hearing from Dr Ford and Judge Kavanaugh, the Senate Judiciary Committee split along party lines in a vote on passing the nomination to the full Senate. Friday saw the Senate Judiciary Committee split along party lines in a vote on passing the nomination to the full Senate.
Democrats accused the 11 Republicans of attempting to rush the process, while Republicans countered that the 10 Democrats were using the allegations against Judge Kavanaugh in an attempt to delay - and ultimately block - the conservative judge from joining the Supreme Court.Democrats accused the 11 Republicans of attempting to rush the process, while Republicans countered that the 10 Democrats were using the allegations against Judge Kavanaugh in an attempt to delay - and ultimately block - the conservative judge from joining the Supreme Court.
Arizona Republican Jeff Flake then told the committee that he would back the motion to send Judge Kavanaugh's nomination for a full vote on the Senate floor - but would not support his confirmation in the Senate without the additional FBI probe for which the Democrats and the American Bar Association had been pressing. Arizona Republican Jeff Flake told the committee that he would back the motion to send Judge Kavanaugh's nomination for a full vote on the Senate floor - but would not support his confirmation in the Senate without the additional FBI inquiry.
The vote then went ahead, with all 11 Republicans including Mr Flake in favour and all 10 Democrats - despite welcoming Mr Flake's intervention - voting against. The vote then went ahead, with all 11 Republicans including Mr Flake in favour and all 10 Democrats voting against.
A statement issued later by the committee said it would "request that the administration instruct the FBI to conduct a supplemental FBI background investigation". After the vote, the committee said it was requesting that Mr Trump order an additional background investigation "limited to current credible allegations against the nominee and must be completed no later than one week from today".
It said: "The supplemental FBI background investigation would be limited to current credible allegations against the nominee and must be completed no later than one week from today." Mr Flake began the session by saying he would back Judge Kavanaugh but on his way to the committee room he was berated by two women who said they were victims of sexual violence and urged him to change his mind.
Mr Flake, who often differs from Mr Trump and the Republican leadership in Congress, had issued a statement shortly before Friday's session began stating that he would back Judge Kavanaugh.
On his way to the committee room, he was berated by two women who said they were victims of sexual violence and urged him to change his mind.
Speaking to reporters at the White House after the committee vote, Mr Trump said he would leave it to Senate leaders to decide how to proceed.
"Whatever they think is necessary is okay," he said. "They have to do what they think is right."
But he continued to support Judge Kavanaugh, saying he had not thought "even a little bit" about a replacement - but added that he had found Dr Ford a "credible witness".
Why is this vote so important?Why is this vote so important?
The Supreme Court plays a vital role in US political life. Appointed for life, its nine members have the final say on US law.The Supreme Court plays a vital role in US political life. Appointed for life, its nine members have the final say on US law.
This includes highly contentious social issues, such as abortion, and challenges to government policy.This includes highly contentious social issues, such as abortion, and challenges to government policy.
Judge Kavanaugh's appointment could tilt the balance in favour of conservatives for years to come.Judge Kavanaugh's appointment could tilt the balance in favour of conservatives for years to come.
Republicans control the Senate by a narrow 51-49 majority. Without the support of Mr Flake and one other Republican senator - and assuming all Democrats vote against - the confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh cannot occur.Republicans control the Senate by a narrow 51-49 majority. Without the support of Mr Flake and one other Republican senator - and assuming all Democrats vote against - the confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh cannot occur.
A simple majority of those present is needed for the confirmation. If there is a tie, the vice-president, who presides over the Senate, casts the deciding vote.
What are the other allegations against Kavanaugh?What are the other allegations against Kavanaugh?
Yes, and new ones appeared ahead of Thursday's hearing. At present they are: Aside from Dr Ford, they are:
Judge Kavanaugh denies these allegations, and on Thursday called Ms Swetnick's allegation "a joke" and "a farce".Judge Kavanaugh denies these allegations, and on Thursday called Ms Swetnick's allegation "a joke" and "a farce".