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| Two Key Republicans Signal Satisfaction With F.B.I.’s Kavanaugh Inquiry | Two Key Republicans Signal Satisfaction With F.B.I.’s Kavanaugh Inquiry |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| WASHINGTON — Two key undecided senators signaled Thursday that they are satisfied with the F.B.I.’s investigation into allegations of sexual assault against Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh, and Senate Republican leaders were increasingly confident that he would be confirmed to the Supreme Court. | WASHINGTON — Two key undecided senators signaled Thursday that they are satisfied with the F.B.I.’s investigation into allegations of sexual assault against Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh, and Senate Republican leaders were increasingly confident that he would be confirmed to the Supreme Court. |
| Senators Jeff Flake of Arizona and Susan Collins of Maine did not say that they will vote for Judge Kavanaugh, President Trump’s second Supreme Court nominee. But after a closed-door briefing in which Republicans were told that no witnesses corroborated the accounts of Judge Kavanaugh’s main accusers, both made positive remarks. A yes vote from both would secure Judge Kavanaugh’s seat on the highest court in the land. | Senators Jeff Flake of Arizona and Susan Collins of Maine did not say that they will vote for Judge Kavanaugh, President Trump’s second Supreme Court nominee. But after a closed-door briefing in which Republicans were told that no witnesses corroborated the accounts of Judge Kavanaugh’s main accusers, both made positive remarks. A yes vote from both would secure Judge Kavanaugh’s seat on the highest court in the land. |
| “It appears to be a very thorough investigation, but I am going back later today to personally read the interviews,” Ms. Collins said. “That’s really all I have to say right now.” | “It appears to be a very thorough investigation, but I am going back later today to personally read the interviews,” Ms. Collins said. “That’s really all I have to say right now.” |
| Mr. Flake told reporters, “We’ve seen no additional corroborating information.” | Mr. Flake told reporters, “We’ve seen no additional corroborating information.” |
| During the nearly hourlong briefing, Senator Bob Corker, Republican of Tennessee, said, Republican aides went through 46 pages of interview reports, nine of them devoted to a single witness: Mark Judge, a friend and high school drinking buddy of Judge Kavanaugh whom Dr. Blasey said was present when the future judge tried to rape her during a high school gathering when they were teenagers, most likely during in the summer of 1982. | |
| Democrats tried to keep up the pressure, challenging the legitimacy of the investigation. They said the F.B.I., at the White House’s direction, had left key witnesses off the interview list and left leads unexplored. | Democrats tried to keep up the pressure, challenging the legitimacy of the investigation. They said the F.B.I., at the White House’s direction, had left key witnesses off the interview list and left leads unexplored. |
| “What I can say is the most notable part of this report is what’s not in it,” Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, told reporters at a brief appearance in the Capitol. Referring to the White House, she added, “It now appears that they also blocked the F.B.I. from doing its job.” | |
| Ms. Feinstein was joined by Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, who echoed her complaints but suggested there is objectionable new information in the documents. He reiterated his call that the documents — “with proper redactions” — be made public. “Why shouldn’t all of America see the facts?” he asked. | Ms. Feinstein was joined by Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, who echoed her complaints but suggested there is objectionable new information in the documents. He reiterated his call that the documents — “with proper redactions” — be made public. “Why shouldn’t all of America see the facts?” he asked. |
| But Republicans were determined to push forward to a key vote on Friday that would clear the last procedural hurdle before a final confirmation vote on Friday. | But Republicans were determined to push forward to a key vote on Friday that would clear the last procedural hurdle before a final confirmation vote on Friday. |
| “I’ve now received a committee staff briefing on the F.B.I.’s supplement to Judge Kavanaugh’s background investigation file,” said Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, in a statement Thursday. “There’s nothing in it that we didn’t already know. These uncorroborated accusations have been unequivocally and repeatedly rejected by Judge Kavanaugh, and neither the Judiciary Committee nor the F.B.I. could locate any third parties who can attest to any of the allegations.” | “I’ve now received a committee staff briefing on the F.B.I.’s supplement to Judge Kavanaugh’s background investigation file,” said Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, in a statement Thursday. “There’s nothing in it that we didn’t already know. These uncorroborated accusations have been unequivocally and repeatedly rejected by Judge Kavanaugh, and neither the Judiciary Committee nor the F.B.I. could locate any third parties who can attest to any of the allegations.” |
| Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky accused Democrats of “partisan histrionics” and an “outrageous smear.” | Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky accused Democrats of “partisan histrionics” and an “outrageous smear.” |
| “For goodness sake this is the United States of America,” Mr. McConnell declared on the Senate floor. “Nobody is supposed to be guilty until proven innocent in this country. The Senate should not set a fundamentally un-American precedent here. Judge Kavanaugh’s right to basic fairness does not disappear just because some disagree with his judicial philosophy” | “For goodness sake this is the United States of America,” Mr. McConnell declared on the Senate floor. “Nobody is supposed to be guilty until proven innocent in this country. The Senate should not set a fundamentally un-American precedent here. Judge Kavanaugh’s right to basic fairness does not disappear just because some disagree with his judicial philosophy” |
| Mr. Trump predicted on Twitter that the results, and Democratic attacks on Judge Kavanaugh, would have “an incredible upward impact on voters.” | Mr. Trump predicted on Twitter that the results, and Democratic attacks on Judge Kavanaugh, would have “an incredible upward impact on voters.” |
| “The PEOPLE get it far better than the politicians,” he wrote. “Most importantly, this great life cannot be ruined by mean & despicable Democrats and totally uncorroborated allegations!” | “The PEOPLE get it far better than the politicians,” he wrote. “Most importantly, this great life cannot be ruined by mean & despicable Democrats and totally uncorroborated allegations!” |
| He added: | He added: |
| Raj Shah, a White House spokesman, told CNN, “I don’t really know what folks who are demanding an open-ended fishing expedition into those areas want other than to delay, delay, delay.” | Raj Shah, a White House spokesman, told CNN, “I don’t really know what folks who are demanding an open-ended fishing expedition into those areas want other than to delay, delay, delay.” |
| The F.B.I.’s material was conveyed to Capitol Hill in the middle of the night Thursday, just hours after Senate Republicans set the stage for a pair of votes later in the week to approve Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation. A statement issued by the White House around 2:30 a.m. said the F.B.I. had completed its work less than a week after it began and that it represented an unprecedented look at a nominee. | The F.B.I.’s material was conveyed to Capitol Hill in the middle of the night Thursday, just hours after Senate Republicans set the stage for a pair of votes later in the week to approve Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation. A statement issued by the White House around 2:30 a.m. said the F.B.I. had completed its work less than a week after it began and that it represented an unprecedented look at a nominee. |
| The White House statement gave no further details about the material, but an official briefed on the F.B.I. review said the bureau contacted 10 people and interviewed nine of them. It was not clear why the 10th person was not interviewed. The White House concluded that the interviews did not corroborate sexual misconduct accusations against Judge Kavanaugh, and could help his case, said the person briefed on the findings, who requested anonymity to discuss them. | The White House statement gave no further details about the material, but an official briefed on the F.B.I. review said the bureau contacted 10 people and interviewed nine of them. It was not clear why the 10th person was not interviewed. The White House concluded that the interviews did not corroborate sexual misconduct accusations against Judge Kavanaugh, and could help his case, said the person briefed on the findings, who requested anonymity to discuss them. |
| But it is the judgment of senators that will determine the fate of Judge Kavanaugh, 53, a 12-year veteran of the federal appeals court in Washington. Ms. Collins, Mr. Flake and Ms. Murkowski all condemned on Wednesday remarks by Mr. Trump mocking one of the accusers, Christine Blasey Ford. | But it is the judgment of senators that will determine the fate of Judge Kavanaugh, 53, a 12-year veteran of the federal appeals court in Washington. Ms. Collins, Mr. Flake and Ms. Murkowski all condemned on Wednesday remarks by Mr. Trump mocking one of the accusers, Christine Blasey Ford. |
| Senators were permitted to review physical copies of the interview summaries in a secured room at the Capitol starting Thursday morning, and Republican and Democratic staff planned to brief other lawmakers. After a day of review, the Senate is on track to take an initial vote on Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation on Friday, with a final vote possible as early as Saturday. | Senators were permitted to review physical copies of the interview summaries in a secured room at the Capitol starting Thursday morning, and Republican and Democratic staff planned to brief other lawmakers. After a day of review, the Senate is on track to take an initial vote on Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation on Friday, with a final vote possible as early as Saturday. |
| Dr. Blasey, 51, a university professor in California, has accused him of sexually assaulting her when they were teenagers at a small party in high school. A second woman, Deborah Ramirez, 53, who works for a county housing department in Boulder, Colo., alleged that he exposed his genitals to her during a party in college. | Dr. Blasey, 51, a university professor in California, has accused him of sexually assaulting her when they were teenagers at a small party in high school. A second woman, Deborah Ramirez, 53, who works for a county housing department in Boulder, Colo., alleged that he exposed his genitals to her during a party in college. |
| The F.B.I. initially interviewed four people identified by the Republican leadership of the Senate Judiciary Committee. They included Ms. Ramirez and three people whom Dr. Blasey recalled being in the house at the time of the party: Mark Judge, P.J. Smyth and Leland Keyser. All three have said they did not remember the party or witness misbehavior by Judge Kavanaugh, although Ms. Keyser told The Washington Post that she believes Dr. Blasey. | The F.B.I. initially interviewed four people identified by the Republican leadership of the Senate Judiciary Committee. They included Ms. Ramirez and three people whom Dr. Blasey recalled being in the house at the time of the party: Mark Judge, P.J. Smyth and Leland Keyser. All three have said they did not remember the party or witness misbehavior by Judge Kavanaugh, although Ms. Keyser told The Washington Post that she believes Dr. Blasey. |
| After complaints by Democrats and undecided Republicans, Mr. Trump authorized the F.B.I. to go beyond those four interviews. But the F.B.I. has not publicly explained why it stopped after talking with just five more people. Ms. Ramirez and Senate Democrats separately gave the bureau the names of dozens of people they thought could help shed light on the allegations, and as recently as Thursday morning, Ms. Ramirez’s lawyers wrote to the F.B.I. lamenting a “failure” to fully investigate her claims. | After complaints by Democrats and undecided Republicans, Mr. Trump authorized the F.B.I. to go beyond those four interviews. But the F.B.I. has not publicly explained why it stopped after talking with just five more people. Ms. Ramirez and Senate Democrats separately gave the bureau the names of dozens of people they thought could help shed light on the allegations, and as recently as Thursday morning, Ms. Ramirez’s lawyers wrote to the F.B.I. lamenting a “failure” to fully investigate her claims. |
| Among those the bureau did not interview were Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Blasey. The White House said that was not necessary because they testified under oath before the Senate Judiciary Committee for hours last week. But Dr. Blasey’s lawyer, Michael R. Bromwich, said late Wednesday that her team was left to conclude that Republicans’ promise of a fair process was “merely lip service.” | Among those the bureau did not interview were Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Blasey. The White House said that was not necessary because they testified under oath before the Senate Judiciary Committee for hours last week. But Dr. Blasey’s lawyer, Michael R. Bromwich, said late Wednesday that her team was left to conclude that Republicans’ promise of a fair process was “merely lip service.” |
| The F.B.I. apparently did not explore allegations by a third accuser, Julie Swetnick, who is represented by Michael Avenatti, a lawyer who also works for Stephanie Clifford, the former pornographic film actress known as Stormy Daniels who was paid hush money before the 2016 presidential election to keep her from discussing what she said was an extramarital affair with Mr. Trump. Senate Democrats have not focused as much on Ms. Swetnick’s assertions as on those of Dr. Blasey and Ms. Ramirez. | The F.B.I. apparently did not explore allegations by a third accuser, Julie Swetnick, who is represented by Michael Avenatti, a lawyer who also works for Stephanie Clifford, the former pornographic film actress known as Stormy Daniels who was paid hush money before the 2016 presidential election to keep her from discussing what she said was an extramarital affair with Mr. Trump. Senate Democrats have not focused as much on Ms. Swetnick’s assertions as on those of Dr. Blasey and Ms. Ramirez. |
| The official briefed on the review said the bureau focused on the incidents described by Dr. Blasey and Ms. Ramirez but did not go out of its way to pursue broader questions about Judge Kavanaugh’s drinking during high school and college. Judge Kavanaugh told the committee last week that while he sometimes drank too much beer, he never blacked out. Former classmates have since come forward to say he misled the committee about the extent of his drinking. | The official briefed on the review said the bureau focused on the incidents described by Dr. Blasey and Ms. Ramirez but did not go out of its way to pursue broader questions about Judge Kavanaugh’s drinking during high school and college. Judge Kavanaugh told the committee last week that while he sometimes drank too much beer, he never blacked out. Former classmates have since come forward to say he misled the committee about the extent of his drinking. |
| The official said the bureau contacted one person who said he had heard about the incident involving Ms. Ramirez at Yale University at the time, but that person did not witness it or talk with Ms. Ramirez. He identified the person he said had told him about the episode, but that person told the F.B.I. that he did not recall it, the official said. | The official said the bureau contacted one person who said he had heard about the incident involving Ms. Ramirez at Yale University at the time, but that person did not witness it or talk with Ms. Ramirez. He identified the person he said had told him about the episode, but that person told the F.B.I. that he did not recall it, the official said. |
| Senators from both parties said they would like to see the F.B.I.’s work eventually made public in some form, but a previous agreement governing background investigations like the one into Judge Kavanaugh could make that legally difficult. | Senators from both parties said they would like to see the F.B.I.’s work eventually made public in some form, but a previous agreement governing background investigations like the one into Judge Kavanaugh could make that legally difficult. |
| A four-page memorandum between the Judiciary Committee and the White House precludes disclosure of contents of a background file by the committee and lays out circumstances under which designated staff members or senators who disclose its contents without authorization can be punished. | A four-page memorandum between the Judiciary Committee and the White House precludes disclosure of contents of a background file by the committee and lays out circumstances under which designated staff members or senators who disclose its contents without authorization can be punished. |
| White House lawyers have concluded that a similar memorandum dealing with Privacy Act restrictions bars them from making the contents public either, or from commenting on them with any specificity. | White House lawyers have concluded that a similar memorandum dealing with Privacy Act restrictions bars them from making the contents public either, or from commenting on them with any specificity. |