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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 Republican senators signaled Thursday that they are satisfied with the F.B.I.’s investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh, and Senate Republican leaders were increasingly confident that he would be confirmed to the Supreme Court. | |
| But one of two remaining undecided Democrats, Senator Heidi Heitkamp, who faces a difficult re-election race in her home state of North Dakota, said she would vote against the nomination. In a statement, she conjured the testimony of Christine Blasey Ford, who said Judge Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when she was 15. “When I listened to Dr. Ford testify, I heard the voices of women I have known throughout my life who have similar stories of sexual assault and abuse,” Ms. Heitkamp said. | |
| The two Republicans, 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, Republican aides went through 46 pages of interview summaries, nine of them devoted to a single witness: Mark Judge, a friend and high school drinking buddy of Judge Kavanaugh. Christine Blasey Ford, the nominee’s first accuser, says Mr. Judge was present when the future judge tried to rape her during a high school gathering, most likely during in the summer of 1982. | During the nearly hourlong briefing, Republican aides went through 46 pages of interview summaries, nine of them devoted to a single witness: Mark Judge, a friend and high school drinking buddy of Judge Kavanaugh. Christine Blasey Ford, the nominee’s first accuser, says Mr. Judge was present when the future judge tried to rape her during a high school gathering, most likely during in the summer of 1982. |
| Democrats tried to keep up the pressure, challenging the legitimacy of the investigation and the veracity of some of the witnesses. They said the F.B.I., at the White House’s direction, had left key witnesses off the interview list and left leads unexplored. And hundreds of anti-Kavanaugh protesters massed outside the Capitol. | Democrats tried to keep up the pressure, challenging the legitimacy of the investigation and the veracity of some of the witnesses. They said the F.B.I., at the White House’s direction, had left key witnesses off the interview list and left leads unexplored. And hundreds of anti-Kavanaugh protesters massed outside the Capitol. |
| “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.” | “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. |
| Senator Patty Murray, Democrat of Washington, said, “I can say that absolutely nothing I saw makes me believe Dr. Ford any less. And in fact, based on what I saw I am even more concerned about the veracity of some of what we heard from Judge Kavanaugh.” | Senator Patty Murray, Democrat of Washington, said, “I can say that absolutely nothing I saw makes me believe Dr. Ford any less. And in fact, based on what I saw I am even more concerned about the veracity of some of what we heard from Judge Kavanaugh.” |
| 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 Saturday. Most Republicans who left the secured briefing room said they were more confident supporting Judge Kavanaugh after the investigation. | 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 Saturday. Most Republicans who left the secured briefing room said they were more confident supporting Judge Kavanaugh after the investigation. |
| “There’s nothing in it that we didn’t already know,” Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said in a statement Thursday. “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.” | “There’s nothing in it that we didn’t already know,” Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said in a statement Thursday. “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.” | “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.” |
| 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: |
| 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. |
| Lawyers for Dr. Blasey and for Deborah Ramirez, who says Judge Kavanaugh exposed himself to her at college, wrote to the F.B.I. on Thursday decrying a “failure” to fully investigate their claims. Ms. Ramirez’s lawyer said his client had provided a list of more than 20 potential witnesses who he did not believe were interviewed. | Lawyers for Dr. Blasey and for Deborah Ramirez, who says Judge Kavanaugh exposed himself to her at college, wrote to the F.B.I. on Thursday decrying a “failure” to fully investigate their claims. Ms. Ramirez’s lawyer said his client had provided a list of more than 20 potential witnesses who he did not believe were interviewed. |
| “We can only conclude that the F.B.I. — or those controlling the investigation — did not want to learn the truth behind Ms. Ramirez’s allegation,” the lawyer, William Pittard, wrote. | “We can only conclude that the F.B.I. — or those controlling the investigation — did not want to learn the truth behind Ms. Ramirez’s allegation,” the lawyer, William Pittard, wrote. |
| Dr. Blasey’s lawyers provided the F.B.I. with the names of eight people they argued should have been interviewed, in addition to their client, and offered to provide additional evidence, including medical records. They said on Thursday they got no response. | Dr. Blasey’s lawyers provided the F.B.I. with the names of eight people they argued should have been interviewed, in addition to their client, and offered to provide additional evidence, including medical records. They said on Thursday they got no response. |
| “The ‘investigation’ conducted over the past five days is a stain on the process, on the F.B.I. and on our American ideal of justice,” the lawyers wrote. | “The ‘investigation’ conducted over the past five days is a stain on the process, on the F.B.I. and on our American ideal of justice,” the lawyers wrote. |
| An officials who reviewed the F.B.I.’s material said the bureau contacted 10 people and interviewed nine of them. The 10th person refused to be interviewed. Those interviewed included Ms. Ramirez and three people whom Dr. Blasey recalled being in the house at the time of the party: Mr. 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. Republicans briefed on their F.B.I. interviews said they had said nothing to change that. | An officials who reviewed the F.B.I.’s material said the bureau contacted 10 people and interviewed nine of them. The 10th person refused to be interviewed. Those interviewed included Ms. Ramirez and three people whom Dr. Blasey recalled being in the house at the time of the party: Mr. 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. Republicans briefed on their F.B.I. interviews said they had said nothing to change that. |
| Also interviewed were two other high school friends of Judge Kavanaugh: Chris Garrett and Tim Gaudette. | Also interviewed were two other high school friends of Judge Kavanaugh: Chris Garrett and Tim Gaudette. |
| But senators will determine the fate of Judge Kavanaugh, 53, a 12-year veteran of the federal appeals court in Washington. The investigation’s principle audience was three independent-minded Republicans — Ms. Collins, Mr. Flake and Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — who took turns closely reviewing its contents on Thursday. Two moderate Democrats up for re-election in states won by Mr. Trump, Joe Manchin III of West Virginia and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, also remain undecided and declined to comment after receiving briefings on Thursday. | But senators will determine the fate of Judge Kavanaugh, 53, a 12-year veteran of the federal appeals court in Washington. The investigation’s principle audience was three independent-minded Republicans — Ms. Collins, Mr. Flake and Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — who took turns closely reviewing its contents on Thursday. Two moderate Democrats up for re-election in states won by Mr. Trump, Joe Manchin III of West Virginia and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, also remain undecided and declined to comment after receiving briefings on Thursday. |
| Senators were permitted to review physical copies of the interview summaries in a secured room at the Capitol starting Thursday morning, after Republican and Democratic staff briefed lawmakers on the key findings. 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, just a little more than a week later that Republican leaders had initially hoped to hold a final vote. | Senators were permitted to review physical copies of the interview summaries in a secured room at the Capitol starting Thursday morning, after Republican and Democratic staff briefed lawmakers on the key findings. 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, just a little more than a week later that Republican leaders had initially hoped to hold a final vote. |
| 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. Ms. Ramirez, 53, who works for a county housing department in Boulder, Colo., alleged that he exposed his genitals to her during a party their freshman year at Yale. | 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. Ms. Ramirez, 53, who works for a county housing department in Boulder, Colo., alleged that he exposed his genitals to her during a party their freshman year at Yale. |
| The F.B.I. has not publicly explained why it stopped after talking with just nine people. Among those the bureau did not interview were Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Blasey. A White House official said that was not necessary because they testified under oath before the Senate Judiciary Committee for hours last week. | The F.B.I. has not publicly explained why it stopped after talking with just nine people. Among those the bureau did not interview were Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Blasey. A White House official said that was not necessary because they testified under oath before the Senate Judiciary Committee for hours last week. |
| 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 officials 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 officials 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. |