Trump denies managing FBI probe of Kavanaugh claims
Donald Trump hits back at suggestions he is trying to ‘micromanage’ the FBI investigation of Brett Kavanaugh.
Donald Trump hit back yesterday at suggestions his administration is trying to “micromanage” the FBI investigation of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, accusing Democrats of being interested only in obstruction.
The US President on Saturday had ordered the new FBI investigation into sexual assault allegations against Judge Kavanaugh, as the Senate delayed a vote on his confirmation as the key ninth member of the Supreme Court.
The delay followed a Senate judiciary committee hearing at which Christine Blasey Ford accused the judge of pinning her down and assaulting her in the 1980s. Judge Kavanaugh vigorously denied the allegations.
“Wow! Just starting to hear the Democrats, who are only thinking Obstruct and Delay, are starting to put out the word that the ‘time’ and ‘scope’ of FBI looking into Judge Kavanaugh and witnesses is not enough,” the President tweeted. “Hello! For them, it will never be enough.”
The New York Times and NBC have cited multiple sources as saying the White House was limiting the witnesses the FBI could question during a one-week background check. Mr Trump insisted the FBI had “free rein” to pursue the matter as it saw fit.
Democratic members of the judiciary committee appear unconvinced. “The White House and the FBI should release details on the scope of the Kavanaugh background investigation and keep congress informed on any changes,” Dianne Feinstein, the committee’s ranking Democrat, tweeted yesterday. “This needs to be a real investigation and we must get all the facts.”
The New York Times said the FBI would question four witnesses. The list, reportedly drafted by Senate Republicans, did not include former classmates who contradicted Judge Kavanaugh’s testimony about the extent of his youthful drinking and partying.
The newspaper also reported that a Yale classmate of Judge Kavanaugh has accused him of a “blatant mischaracterisation” of his drinking, which the judge downplayed in the Senate hearing. It is illegal to lie to congress.
Academic Charles Ludington said Judge Kavanaugh was a frequent and heavy drinker. “On many occasions I heard Brett slur his words and saw him staggering from alcohol consumption, not all of which was beer. When Brett got drunk, he was often belligerent and aggressive,” he said.
NBC said the FBI was not being allowed to investigate claims by Julie Swetnick, who accused Judge Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct at drink-fuelled parties in his student days. The FBI has contacted Yale classmate Deborah Ramirez, who alleged he was sexually aggressive toward her at a party. The FBI is yet to contact Dr Ford.
Democrat judiciary committee Amy Klobuchar was “very concerned” by reported constraints on the inquiry. “The White House should not be allowed to micromanage an FBI investigation. We have to allow them to go ahead,” she said
Spokeswoman Sarah Sanders insisted the White House was staying “out of the way”, but the inquiry should not be allowed to become a “total fishing expedition” by the FBI.
AFP
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