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| Brett Kavanaugh and the F.B.I. Investigation: Start Here | |
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| The fate of Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh, President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, remains uncertain as the F.B.I. carries out an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against him, delaying the confirmation vote by as much as one week. | The fate of Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh, President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, remains uncertain as the F.B.I. carries out an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against him, delaying the confirmation vote by as much as one week. |
| On Tuesday, Senate Republican leaders urged the completion of the confirmation process after learning that the F.B.I. was expected to complete its investigation as early as Wednesday. | On Tuesday, Senate Republican leaders urged the completion of the confirmation process after learning that the F.B.I. was expected to complete its investigation as early as Wednesday. |
| Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee — and the nation — heard emotional and contradicting accounts from Judge Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford, one of the several women who have accused him of sexual assault or misconduct decades ago. Judge Kavanaugh, who adamantly denied the women’s claims, at times crafted responses that were misleading, disputed or off point, our fact-check found. And those responses have also raised new questions about his truthfulness, his partisanship and his temperament. | Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee — and the nation — heard emotional and contradicting accounts from Judge Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford, one of the several women who have accused him of sexual assault or misconduct decades ago. Judge Kavanaugh, who adamantly denied the women’s claims, at times crafted responses that were misleading, disputed or off point, our fact-check found. And those responses have also raised new questions about his truthfulness, his partisanship and his temperament. |
| Here’s a guide to the latest coverage from The Times. | Here’s a guide to the latest coverage from The Times. |
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| Mr. Trump ordered the F.B.I. investigation on Friday after Senator Jeff Flake, a key Republican swing vote on the nomination, insisted that the allegations be examined before he committed to voting to confirm Judge Kavanaugh on the floor. Read about the 24 hours last week that caused Mr. Flake to delay the final vote. | Mr. Trump ordered the F.B.I. investigation on Friday after Senator Jeff Flake, a key Republican swing vote on the nomination, insisted that the allegations be examined before he committed to voting to confirm Judge Kavanaugh on the floor. Read about the 24 hours last week that caused Mr. Flake to delay the final vote. |
| (Video footage went viral of two angry and tearful women confronting him Friday in a Senate elevator; they accused him of telling women that “assault doesn’t matter.” Watch the encounter here.) | (Video footage went viral of two angry and tearful women confronting him Friday in a Senate elevator; they accused him of telling women that “assault doesn’t matter.” Watch the encounter here.) |
| Initially, F.B.I. agents were asked to talk to only four witnesses, which they did. They included Mark Judge, one of Judge Kavanaugh’s high school friends who two of the accusers say was present at the time that alleged misconduct took place. (Here’s what we know about him.) | Initially, F.B.I. agents were asked to talk to only four witnesses, which they did. They included Mark Judge, one of Judge Kavanaugh’s high school friends who two of the accusers say was present at the time that alleged misconduct took place. (Here’s what we know about him.) |
| The other three witnesses were Leland Keyser, who Dr. Blasey said attended the high school gathering where Dr. Blasey said she was sexually assaulted; P. J. Smyth, another guest; and Deborah Ramirez, one of the other women who has accused the judge of misconduct, this time at a Yale party. A backlash from Democrats over the limited scope of the investigation followed. | The other three witnesses were Leland Keyser, who Dr. Blasey said attended the high school gathering where Dr. Blasey said she was sexually assaulted; P. J. Smyth, another guest; and Deborah Ramirez, one of the other women who has accused the judge of misconduct, this time at a Yale party. A backlash from Democrats over the limited scope of the investigation followed. |
| On Monday, two people briefed on the matter said that the White House had authorized the F.B.I. to expand its investigation by interviewing anyone it deems necessary. Five former Yale classmates of Judge Kavanaugh told The New York Times that they had tried to offer information to the F.B.I., without success. (Here’s a list of who the F.B.I. has interviewed and who it has not.) | On Monday, two people briefed on the matter said that the White House had authorized the F.B.I. to expand its investigation by interviewing anyone it deems necessary. Five former Yale classmates of Judge Kavanaugh told The New York Times that they had tried to offer information to the F.B.I., without success. (Here’s a list of who the F.B.I. has interviewed and who it has not.) |
| Here are three inconsistencies between Dr. Blasey’s and Judge Kavanaugh’s testimonies that the F.B.I. could address. | Here are three inconsistencies between Dr. Blasey’s and Judge Kavanaugh’s testimonies that the F.B.I. could address. |
| Mr. Flake said on Monday that he was doing everything in his power to “make sure that any current, credible allegation that has been made is fully investigated.” Provided the new investigation doesn’t turn up damaging information, the inquiry could ultimately make it easier for uncertain Republicans to back Judge Kavanaugh, our chief Washington correspondent writes. | Mr. Flake said on Monday that he was doing everything in his power to “make sure that any current, credible allegation that has been made is fully investigated.” Provided the new investigation doesn’t turn up damaging information, the inquiry could ultimately make it easier for uncertain Republicans to back Judge Kavanaugh, our chief Washington correspondent writes. |
| Mr. Trump said on Monday he had no issue with the bureau questioning Judge Kavanaugh or Julie Swetnick, the third woman to accuse the nominee. | Mr. Trump said on Monday he had no issue with the bureau questioning Judge Kavanaugh or Julie Swetnick, the third woman to accuse the nominee. |
| Senate Republican leaders, however, made clear that they planned to move forward with the confirmation. “We’ll have an F.B.I. report this week, and we’ll have a vote this week,” Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, told reporters after the Republicans’ weekly policy luncheon on Tuesday. But Mr. McConnell would not say whether that would be a final vote, or a procedural vote allowing the Senate to begin debate. | Senate Republican leaders, however, made clear that they planned to move forward with the confirmation. “We’ll have an F.B.I. report this week, and we’ll have a vote this week,” Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, told reporters after the Republicans’ weekly policy luncheon on Tuesday. But Mr. McConnell would not say whether that would be a final vote, or a procedural vote allowing the Senate to begin debate. |
| As of right now, the confirmation vote comes down to five senators who remain undecided: three Republicans, none of whom are facing re-election this year, and two Democrats, both of whom are. | As of right now, the confirmation vote comes down to five senators who remain undecided: three Republicans, none of whom are facing re-election this year, and two Democrats, both of whom are. |
| Also on Monday, a newly unearthed police report revealed that as an undergraduate student at Yale, Mr. Kavanaugh was involved in an altercation at a bar. He was accused of throwing ice on another patron during the altercation, the police report said. | Also on Monday, a newly unearthed police report revealed that as an undergraduate student at Yale, Mr. Kavanaugh was involved in an altercation at a bar. He was accused of throwing ice on another patron during the altercation, the police report said. |
| There has also been renewed attention in a statement from the American Bar Association in 2006, in which the group revised its rating of him as he prepared for his second confirmation hearing for a federal appeals court judgeship. The statement, the group said, was prompted by concerns about his demeanor and veracity. | There has also been renewed attention in a statement from the American Bar Association in 2006, in which the group revised its rating of him as he prepared for his second confirmation hearing for a federal appeals court judgeship. The statement, the group said, was prompted by concerns about his demeanor and veracity. |
| [Make sense of the people, issues and ideas shaping the 2018 elections with our new politics newsletter.] | [Make sense of the people, issues and ideas shaping the 2018 elections with our new politics newsletter.] |
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| A lot happened last week. Dr. Blasey, a university professor and research psychologist, was joined by Ms. Ramirez and Ms. Swetnick in public accusations against Judge Kavanaugh. | A lot happened last week. Dr. Blasey, a university professor and research psychologist, was joined by Ms. Ramirez and Ms. Swetnick in public accusations against Judge Kavanaugh. |
| Ms. Ramirez, who works for a county housing department in Colorado and sits on a domestic violence group’s board, accused Judge Kavanaugh of exposing himself to her at a drunken college party. (Here’s our profile of her.) | Ms. Ramirez, who works for a county housing department in Colorado and sits on a domestic violence group’s board, accused Judge Kavanaugh of exposing himself to her at a drunken college party. (Here’s our profile of her.) |
| Ms. Swetnick, who has held a variety of public-and private-sector jobs, said that Judge Kavanaugh was “present” when she was raped at a high school party. We debunk five viral rumors about the accusers here. | Ms. Swetnick, who has held a variety of public-and private-sector jobs, said that Judge Kavanaugh was “present” when she was raped at a high school party. We debunk five viral rumors about the accusers here. |
| Read our stories on a culture of heavy drinking that emerges as a common theme among the accusations, including the article that focuses on references in Judge Kavanaugh’s high school yearbook to a female student at a nearby school. | Read our stories on a culture of heavy drinking that emerges as a common theme among the accusations, including the article that focuses on references in Judge Kavanaugh’s high school yearbook to a female student at a nearby school. |
| The Times also reviewed a 1983 letter written by Judge Kavanaugh to his friends when he organized a stay for “Beach Week” at a beachfront condo. In a postscript, he wrote that whoever arrived first should “warn the neighbors that we’re loud, obnoxious drunks with prolific pukers among us.” | The Times also reviewed a 1983 letter written by Judge Kavanaugh to his friends when he organized a stay for “Beach Week” at a beachfront condo. In a postscript, he wrote that whoever arrived first should “warn the neighbors that we’re loud, obnoxious drunks with prolific pukers among us.” |
| Americans were transfixed by the hearing on Thursday. There, Dr. Blasey described the terror she felt more than 30 years ago when, she said, a drunken teenage Mr. Kavanaugh pinned her on a bed, tried to rip her clothes off and clapped his hand over her mouth as she pleaded for help. | Americans were transfixed by the hearing on Thursday. There, Dr. Blasey described the terror she felt more than 30 years ago when, she said, a drunken teenage Mr. Kavanaugh pinned her on a bed, tried to rip her clothes off and clapped his hand over her mouth as she pleaded for help. |
| At the hearing, Dr. Blasey came across as an Everywoman, our reporters wrote — an Everywoman with a Ph.D. Her testimony was also a stark reminder of gender dynamics and of the mental gymnastics required of women who speak up. (Read our profile of her.) | At the hearing, Dr. Blasey came across as an Everywoman, our reporters wrote — an Everywoman with a Ph.D. Her testimony was also a stark reminder of gender dynamics and of the mental gymnastics required of women who speak up. (Read our profile of her.) |
| In response, Judge Kavanaugh delivered a blistering defense, denouncing a partisan “frenzy” bent on destroying his nomination. | In response, Judge Kavanaugh delivered a blistering defense, denouncing a partisan “frenzy” bent on destroying his nomination. |
| The contrast was stark. We heard from dozens of readers who identified themselves as trauma victims and said they struggled with their own memories. The accusations have rallied survivors of abuse around a new hashtag, #WhyIDidntReport, which highlights the difficulties, fear, anger and shame that so often surround sexual harassment and assault. | The contrast was stark. We heard from dozens of readers who identified themselves as trauma victims and said they struggled with their own memories. The accusations have rallied survivors of abuse around a new hashtag, #WhyIDidntReport, which highlights the difficulties, fear, anger and shame that so often surround sexual harassment and assault. |
| For many conservatives, especially white men, Judge Kavanaugh’s fury joined a rallying cry led by Mr. Trump against a liberal order. | For many conservatives, especially white men, Judge Kavanaugh’s fury joined a rallying cry led by Mr. Trump against a liberal order. |
| On Tuesday, Mr. Trump once again waded into the #MeToo debate, when he mocked Dr. Ford at a campaign rally/ and separately said it is a “very scary time for young men in America” because the rise of sexual misconduct allegations has eroded traditional due process. | On Tuesday, Mr. Trump once again waded into the #MeToo debate, when he mocked Dr. Ford at a campaign rally/ and separately said it is a “very scary time for young men in America” because the rise of sexual misconduct allegations has eroded traditional due process. |
| The stakes are high, with some Democrats hoping that a derailment of Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation could buy them time to win back the Senate in the November midterm elections, and, consequently, gain control over the confirmation of Mr. Trump’s next nominee. | The stakes are high, with some Democrats hoping that a derailment of Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation could buy them time to win back the Senate in the November midterm elections, and, consequently, gain control over the confirmation of Mr. Trump’s next nominee. |
| But Republicans believe the fight will help them in tight Senate races — at the likely cost of losing control of the House. | But Republicans believe the fight will help them in tight Senate races — at the likely cost of losing control of the House. |
| Notably, the nomination process has exposed how far senators on both sides of the aisle have drifted from the rules of decorum. | Notably, the nomination process has exposed how far senators on both sides of the aisle have drifted from the rules of decorum. |
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| Many see parallels with Anita Hill, who accused Judge Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment during his Supreme Court confirmation process more than a quarter-century ago before he was ultimately confirmed. | Many see parallels with Anita Hill, who accused Judge Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment during his Supreme Court confirmation process more than a quarter-century ago before he was ultimately confirmed. |
| Read more about Ms. Hill's testimony and listen to The Daily’s episode revisiting it. Ms. Hill, now a professor at Brandeis University, weighed in herself, writing in a recent New York Times Op-Ed that, this time around, the Senate Judiciary Committee can “do better.” | Read more about Ms. Hill's testimony and listen to The Daily’s episode revisiting it. Ms. Hill, now a professor at Brandeis University, weighed in herself, writing in a recent New York Times Op-Ed that, this time around, the Senate Judiciary Committee can “do better.” |
| On Friday, Ms. Hill said that she tried to keep an open mind while watching Dr. Blasey and Judge Kavanaugh at the hearing, “but at the end of the day, I certainly believed her.” | On Friday, Ms. Hill said that she tried to keep an open mind while watching Dr. Blasey and Judge Kavanaugh at the hearing, “but at the end of the day, I certainly believed her.” |