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Brett Kavanaugh launches into angry testimony and vows: 'You'll never get me to quit' – live updates Kavanaugh refuses to say yes to FBI inquiry as Republicans erupt at 'sham' hearing – live updates
(35 minutes later)
We are on another 15-minute break. In the meantime, here’s a report from the Associated Press, with experts backing up Dr Ford’s explanation of the mechanics of memory:
In her testimony Christine Blasey Ford dipped briefly into the mechanics of memory. Experts say she got her scientific facts basically right.
Asked how she could be sure it was Kavanaugh who put a hand over her mouth to keep her quiet, Ford, a psychologist, cited levels of chemical messengers called norepinephrine and epinephrine in her brain at the time of the alleged attack.
She said those chemicals helped encode memories in the hippocampus region of the brain, so that the main memory was “locked there” while other details “kind of drift.”
Later, she said a memory of Kavanaugh and another teen laughing during the assault was “indelible in the hippocampus”.
Memories are not highly detailed, objective recordings of events retrieved with perfect accuracy. They are shaped by beliefs and expectations. For that reason, experts told The Associated Press that both Ford and Kavanaugh, who denies that any assault happened, may both firmly believe what they say.
Experts in memory and the brain said Ford’s quick tour of memory machinery was generally correct. Levels of the brain substances she cited go up when a person is alarmed, and they help memories become laid down more strongly in the hippocampus, said Elizabeth Phelps, a Harvard University psychologist.
That helps people vividly recall central parts of an emotional experience, while details are typically lost, said Lila Davachi of Columbia University.
Democratic senator Amy Klobuchar questioned Kavanaugh about his drinking habits: “You’re saying there has never been a case where you drank so much you never remembered what happened the night before?”
Kavanaugh responded by repeatedly trying to ask the senator about her drinking habits: “I think you’ve probably had beers, senator.” Some of that exchange:
Kavanaugh bizarrely talks right over Klobuchar, doesn't let her ask questions or even attempt to answer the ones she manages to ask pic.twitter.com/lfjODS9ui2
Republican senator John Cornyn is up next in an indication that Mitchell, who questioned Dr Ford for the entirety of her testimony, may have already finished her interrogation of Kavanaugh.
Cornyn follows in Graham’s fiery tone. He compares the hearing to the McCarthy communist sympathiser hearings of 1954.
Kavanaugh watches on and appears to be sympathetic to the analogy.
“I’m never going to get my reputation back,” he says.
Democratic senator Dick Durbin asks Kavanaugh to turn to the White House counsel Don McGahn, who is apparently sitting in the front row, and call for an FBI investigation.
Predictably, Kavanaugh, doesn’t take the bait.
He then asks the judge whether he wants an FBI investigation. Kavanaugh does not answer directly, “I am innocent,” he says.
Just after Durbin’s question, Republican senator Lindsey Graham launches into an extraordinary tirade. Branding the hearing: “The most despicable thing I’ve ever seen in politics.”
He turns to his Democratic colleagues who he says have “destroyed this guy’s life”.
“I would never to do to them what you’ve done to this guy,” he says. “I hope the American people see through this sham. When it comes to this, you’re looking for a fair process, you’ve come to the wrong place.”
Kavanaugh says of the experience: “I’ve been through hell and then some.”
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?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.“No,” he responds.
She asks: “Are you aware that in Maryland there is no statute of limitations that would stop you from being charged?”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.”“Yes, that’s my understanding.”
Mitchell’s five minutes are up again.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.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.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.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.”Kavanaugh says: “You’d have to ask him.”
“I agree with you there,” Leahy says.“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.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.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.“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.“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.”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.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.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/ct810UpIjIHe 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.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/RZy5UPltRNFrom 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.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.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.“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.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 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”.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.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 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: Ford, Ramierz and Swetnik.He then instantly denies allegations made against him by three women: Ford, Ramierz and Swetnik.
He labels Swetnik’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.”