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Brett Kavanaugh launches into angry testimony and vows: 'You'll never get me to quit' – live updates Brett Kavanaugh launches into angry testimony and vows: 'You'll never get me to quit' – live updates
(35 minutes later)
Mitchell gets another five minutes. She moves onto Kavanaugh’s calendars from the summer of 1982. She asks him: “Is there anything [in the calendars] that could remotely fit Dr Ford’s allegations?
“No,” he responds.
She asks: “Are you aware that in Maryland there is no statute of limitations that would stop you from being charged?”
“Yes, that’s my understanding.”
Mitchell’s five minutes are up again.
We’re back on now. And Democratic senator Patrick Leahy begins by asking whether Kavanaugh wants Mark Judge called as a witness.
Kavanaugh says he has already provided sworn testimony and then the two get into a shouting match.
Leahy then asks whether a character in one of Judge’s books, who is portrayed passing out after excessive drinking, is based on Kavanaugh.
Kavanaugh says: “You’d have to ask him.”
“I agree with you there,” Leahy says.
Leahy then asks Kavanaugh about his his school yearbook. The two then get into another shouting match before Grassley intervenes.
Kavanaugh then defends his time in high school, without talking about the yearbook.
“I busted my butt in academics,” he says, before going into details about his participation in sports and other activities.
“If we want to sit here and discuss whether a supreme court nomination should be based on a high school year book, I think that takes us to new levels of absurdity,” Kavanugh says.
Leahy runs out of time, ands concludes: “We got a filibuster but no answer.”
A number of White House reporters are suggesting that Donald Trump was enthralled with Kavanaugh’s fierce, combative defence.
President Trump is "riveted" and telling people, "This is why I nominated him," in a positive way, per person close to him. Talking to lots of people inside WH about how he likes how Kavanaugh is fighting back. Admires the defiance.
He is already calling senators and demanding a vote. Confirmed. First one is Saturday at noon. https://t.co/ct810UpIjI
According to some reports, this form of aggressive testimony is exactly what Trump had called for.
From the NYT last night -- Trump has some advice for Kavanaugh: Be more aggressive, show more outrage, push back more. In other words, be more like Mr. Trump. https://t.co/RZy5UPltRN
While we’re on this break, it’s worth revisiting some of my colleagues’ reporting on Kavanaugh’s record with law clerks.
As part of his full-throated defense of his record promoting the careers and ambitions of women, both personally and professionally, Kavanaugh boasted of his record of selecting female clerks to work in his office.
“If confirmed, I’ll be the first justice in the history of the Supreme Court to have a group of all women law clerks. That is who I am,” he said.
But as the Guardian’s Stephanie Kirchgaessner and Jessica Glenza have reported, some of clerks were told by a Yale professor that their physical looks could help win a coveted spot in Kavanaugh’s legal chambers.
Mitchell then asks Kavanaugh about his drinking. He again concedes that he drank beer in his high school days, but says it was never to the point of “blacking out”.
Mitchell then asks about the specifics of Dr Ford’s allegations. He denies every one of them, ranging from being present in a room with and Judge, to him allegedly assaulting her, with a simple “no”.
Kavanaugh then requests a 15-minute break, and the committee accepts.
Feinstein immediately asks why Kavanaugh has not voiced a request to have the allegations investigated by the FBI.Feinstein immediately asks why Kavanaugh has not voiced a request to have the allegations investigated by the FBI.
He responds instantly by saying he wanted to come before the committee the day after Dr Ford’s allegations were made public. He responds instantly by saying he wanted to come before the committee the day after Ford’s allegations were made public.
Feinstein presses him further about not submitting to an interview with the FBI. He interrupts and says: “You’re interviewing me. There’s no conclusions reached.”Feinstein presses him further about not submitting to an interview with the FBI. He interrupts and says: “You’re interviewing me. There’s no conclusions reached.”
He then instantly denies allegations made against him by three women, Dr Ford, Ramierz and Sweatnik. He then instantly denies allegations made against him by three women: Ford, Ramierz and Swetnik.
He labels Sweatnik’s allegations as “a joke. It’s a farce.” And declines to elaborate. He labels Swetnik’s allegations as “a joke. It’s a farce.” And declines to elaborate.
In that exchange, Kavanaugh confirms he knows all of the people Dr Ford suggests were present at the time of the assault.In that exchange, Kavanaugh confirms he knows all of the people Dr Ford suggests were present at the time of the assault.
Once again, Mitchell’s questions last just five minutes and she hands over to Democratic senator Dianne Feinstein.Once again, Mitchell’s questions last just five minutes and she hands over to Democratic senator Dianne Feinstein.
Senator Grassley straight away hands over to Rachel Mitchell.Senator Grassley straight away hands over to Rachel Mitchell.
She asks instantly about his relationship with Mark Judge.She asks instantly about his relationship with Mark Judge.
He describes him as a “great, funny guy” he describes his battles with additction and says he hasn’t spoken to Judge “in a couple of years”.He describes him as a “great, funny guy” he describes his battles with additction and says he hasn’t spoken to Judge “in a couple of years”.
Kavanaugh now goes on criticise Democrats on the committee. He points to other ways he claims they have destroyed his life.Kavanaugh now goes on criticise Democrats on the committee. He points to other ways he claims they have destroyed his life.
“I love teaching law. But thanks to what some of you on this side of the committee I may never be able to teach again,” he says.“I love teaching law. But thanks to what some of you on this side of the committee I may never be able to teach again,” he says.
Of his coaching of his daughter’s basketball team, he says: “I love coaching more than anything more than anything I‘ve ever done in my whole life. But thanks to what some of you on this side of the committee have unleashed, I may never be able to coach again.”Of his coaching of his daughter’s basketball team, he says: “I love coaching more than anything more than anything I‘ve ever done in my whole life. But thanks to what some of you on this side of the committee have unleashed, I may never be able to coach again.”
He concludes his remarks by arguing: “We live in a country devoted to due process and the rule of law. That means taking allegations seriously. But if an allegation … from 36 years ago, is enough to destroy a persons career we will have abandoned … due process.”He concludes his remarks by arguing: “We live in a country devoted to due process and the rule of law. That means taking allegations seriously. But if an allegation … from 36 years ago, is enough to destroy a persons career we will have abandoned … due process.”
He adds: “My family and I intend no ill will to Dr Ford and her family. I swear before the nation and God I am innocent of this charge.”He adds: “My family and I intend no ill will to Dr Ford and her family. I swear before the nation and God I am innocent of this charge.”
Kavanugh’s opening remarks are still going. He now talks about his character as a high school student.Kavanugh’s opening remarks are still going. He now talks about his character as a high school student.
He acknowledges his drinking in youth but adds: “There is a bright line between drinking beer - which I gladly do and fully embrace, and sexual assault. I never committed sexual assault.”He acknowledges his drinking in youth but adds: “There is a bright line between drinking beer - which I gladly do and fully embrace, and sexual assault. I never committed sexual assault.”
He concedes: “As high school students we sometimes did goofy and stupid things.” And he talks about his high school yearbook: “This past week, my friends and I have cringed when we read about it and talked to each other.”He concedes: “As high school students we sometimes did goofy and stupid things.” And he talks about his high school yearbook: “This past week, my friends and I have cringed when we read about it and talked to each other.”
He refers to one high school friend who was referred to crudely in the book as an “alumnus” of a number of male pupils. “The media has interpreted this as related to sex,” he says, saying they are incorrect. “I’m so sorry to her for that yearbook reference.”He refers to one high school friend who was referred to crudely in the book as an “alumnus” of a number of male pupils. “The media has interpreted this as related to sex,” he says, saying they are incorrect. “I’m so sorry to her for that yearbook reference.”
He then moves on to talk about his sexual history: “As to sex, this is not a topic I ever imagined would ever come up at a judicial hearing.”He then moves on to talk about his sexual history: “As to sex, this is not a topic I ever imagined would ever come up at a judicial hearing.”
He reiterates that he did not have sex until “many years after” he left college.He reiterates that he did not have sex until “many years after” he left college.
He concedes: “In some crowds I was a little outwardly shy of my experience, at the time I was inwardly proud of it.”He concedes: “In some crowds I was a little outwardly shy of my experience, at the time I was inwardly proud of it.”
He now states that the calendar entries suggest he was out of town for most weekends in the summer of 1982, and suggests that Dr Ford has alleged that the party she was assaulted at took place during a weekend. Ford has not specified a day when the assault took place.
He acknowledges that the calendars are not complete as they do not show him attending church every Sunday.
“Going to church on Sundays was like brushing my teeth, automatic. It still is.”
He acknowledges the calendars show him attending house parties during weekdays, but suggests the list of attendees do no match the list of people Ford has said were present at the event she was assaulted at.
He says the calendars cannot be seen as overwhelming but adds: “They are another piece of evidence in the mix for you to consider.”
Kavanaugh moves on to address Dr Ford’s allegations specifically.
“I have never done that to her, or to anyone,” he says.
He adds: “It is possible that we met at some point at some events, but I do not recall that.”
He refers to the calendars he has submitted to the committee, which he claims document the summer on 1982 when the alleged assault took place. Kavanaugh begins to break down again as he describes his reasoning for keeping a calendar, which he says is to copy the practice of his father.
“Mine are not as good as my dad’s,” he says, holding back tears, then pausing for a moment to collect his breath.
Kavanaugh appears to almost break into tears as he says his daughters told him to pray for Dr Ford last night. He reiterates a key part of his defence, which is not to question that Ford was sexually assaulted, but to say categorically it was not him.
He then goes back over his record both in the executive branch of government and then the judiciary.
“I have handled some of the most significant cases for the liberty of the American people,” he says of his time on the bench.
Kavanaugh continues his extraordinary opening remarks, in a move that will undoubtedly draw comparisons to Clarence Thomas’s rebuttal of Anita Hill’s allegations in 1991.
“This has destroyed my family and my good name. A good name built up through decades of public service,” he says. He says the allegations are part of a “calculated political hit”.
He says “the consequences will be felt for decades”. He adds: “What goes around comes around.”
“I will not be intimidated into withdrawing from this process,” he says.
He adds: “Your co-ordinated and well funded effort to destroy my good name... will not drive me out.
“You may defeat me in the final vote. But you’ll never defeat me ever... I’m here to tell the truth, I have never sexually assaulted anyone.”
In an extraordinary, combative move Kavanaugh has scrapped his prepared statement he’d supplied to the committee yesterday. He says these are his words, written yesterday evening.
He says his reputation has been “totally and permanently destroyed”.
He says: “This confirmation process has become a national disgrace... you have replaced advise and consent with search and destroy.”
He blames a “frenzy on the left” which has “come up with something, anything to destroy my nomination.”
Kavanaugh has entered the committee room to roar of camera shutters.
He tells chairman Grassley he is ready to be sworn in. He raises his right hand and swears to tell the truth.
Senators are now filing back into the committee room, as Republican committee member John Cornyn seems to double down on his support of Kavanaugh’s nomination.
Senate Ds are arguing Judge Kavanaugh guilty of criminal conduct based on uncorroborated allegation https://t.co/brPXBt07Jw
My colleague Lauren Gambino, who is in the committee room sends some more from the end of Dr Ford’s testimony:
The hearing ended on an odd note. The senators started to bicker and one of Ford’s lawyers interjected to ask if she could leave as it had been a long day. Chairman Grassley asked her to wait long enough for him to thank her for coming. When he finished, a handful of supporters in the room clapped and said “Thank you” and “Bravo”.
“Women have been fighting these battles for eternity,” said actress and #MeToo activist Alyssa Milano, said in an interview after the hearing. “I think if we’re to skip to the future in 100 years and look back on the timelines of Alice Ball to where we are today, I think that we would see very distinct moments in time that meant something. And this is one of those moments.”
Milano, who wore a tiny pin that said “I believe Christine Blasey Ford”, said she planned to stay to hear Kavanaugh’s testimony. “Someone’s got to be here to stare him down.”
My colleague Lauren Gambino was in the committee room to watch Dr Ford’s testimony up close. She’s sent these observations from just after the conclusion of Ford’s testimony a short while ago:
As the senators quibble, Ford's lawyers ask if she can be excused. Grassley interjects "Let's just be nice to her".
Women shout "thank you Dr. Ford" and "Bravo Dr. Ford" when she finishes
.@RepMaloney and @Alyssa_Milano make a “power statement” at the Kavanaugh hearing. Milano said she would stay to watch Kavanaugh so she could “stare him down.” pic.twitter.com/zpKGuq9mXu
We’re only half way through proceedings today, and so much of Kavanaugh’s confirmation prospects still hang on his own performance before the committee.
Dr Ford’s appearance has captivated the entire nation and you can read our news wrap of events so far below.
Dr Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who has accused US supreme court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault, has detailed the agony of coming forward to “relive this trauma in front of the world” at an historic Senate hearing.
With Kavanaugh’s confirmation to America’s highest bench hanging in the balance, Ford recounted in gripping detail how she was allegedly forced into a bedroom in the early 1980s by Kavanaugh and his friend Mark Judge, when they were teenagers.
“I am here today not because I want to be. I am terrified,” said Ford, her voice cracking with emotion, in her her first public appearance before members of the Senate judiciary committee on Capitol Hill on Thursday.
“I am here because I believe it is my civic duty to tell you what happened to me while Brett Kavanaugh and I were in high school.”
Kavanaugh, Donald Trump’s hardline conservative pick for the vacant seat on the supreme court, had been expected to sail through the confirmation process until Ford came forward earlier this month, followed by two other women who publicly accused him of sexual misconduct. Kavanaugh, who has denied the allegations, is slated to testify after Ford. Judge has also denied the allegations.
Couple listening to the #KavanaughHearings on the uptown 1 train @wnyc pic.twitter.com/yNiBtGr5zO
Mitchell ends her questioning by acknowledging that her own method of questioning is not a best practice interview for survivors of sexual assault.
“Did you know that the best way to do it is to have a trained interview interview you in a private sense and have you do the talking?” she asks Dr Ford.
“It’s called a cognitive interview. This is not a cognitive interview,” she adds.
Mitchell then asks Ford whether anyone from Anna Eshoo’s office or Dianne Feinstein advised her to get a cognitive interview. She says they did not.
And with that, Ford’s testimony comes to an end. “Lets be nice to her,” Senator Grassley says to his colleagues on the committee who start discussing evidence to be entered into the record. He then thanks Ford for appearing and the committee breaks for 45 minutes.
Brett Kavanaugh is set to appear after.