Democrats, GOP argue over witnesses at hearing
Wrestling for advantage, Democratic and Republican senators argued Tuesday over who could, should or would testify at next Monday’s hearing with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and the woman who accuses him of a sexual assault when they were in high school. Doubts were even raised whether she would appear.
Meanwhile, Kavanaugh was at the White House for a second straight day, but again did not meet with President Donald Trump. The president said he was “totally supporting” Kavanaugh and rejected calls for the FBI to investigate the accusation.
“I don’t think FBI really should be involved because they don’t want to be involved,” Trump said.
“If they wanted to be, I would certainly do that. But as you know, they say this is not really their thing. But I think politically speaking, the senators will do a very good job.”
Democrats are demanding that the FBI be given time to reopen its background investigation into Kavanaugh so it can check the assertions of Christine Blasey Ford, the woman
accusing Kavanaugh of assault. They say the hearing should not move forward until that investigation is completed.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said an FBI investigation is “essential” to prevent the hearing from becoming merely a “he said, she said affair.”
Republicans responded that reopening the investigation is up to the White House and they are sticking with their plans for a Monday hearing — with or without Ford’s participation.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-iowa, said on radio’s “Hugh Hewitt Show” said that he’d not yet received confirmation from Ford that she would appear at the hearing, despite several attempts to reach her camp.
“So it kind of raises the question, do they want to come to the public hearing or not?”
Grassley said.
A day earlier, Republican abruptly agreed to hold a public Judiciary Committee hearing at which Kavanaugh and Ford have been invited to testify.
Party leaders made that concession under pressure from senators demanding that the nominee and his accuser give public, sworn testimony before any vote on Trump’s nominee.