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| Kavanaugh refuses to say yes to FBI inquiry as Republicans erupt at 'sham' hearing – live updates | Kavanaugh refuses to say yes to FBI inquiry as Republicans erupt at 'sham' hearing – live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| For those who didn’t tune in all day, here are clips of a handful of notable moments: | |
| Christine Blasey Ford testifies on what she remembers most vividly from the alleged assault: "Indelible in the hippocampus is the laughter. The uproarious laughter between the two and their having fun at my expense... I was, you know, underneath one of them while the two laughed" pic.twitter.com/2HZtC27RhU | |
| Many, including Republicans on the Judiciary Committee, have put forth the idea that Dr. Blasey Ford is misidentifying her attacker. I asked her point-blank if she could be mistaken and her answer leaves no doubt she knows exactly who was in that room with her. pic.twitter.com/VHXlsTnCx5 | |
| - "Beach Week Ralph Club -- Biggest Contributor"- "Boofed"- "Renate Alumnius"- "Devil's Triangle"- "FFFFFFFourth of July"Brett Kavanaugh just explained the ambiguous references on his high school yearbook page https://t.co/yVU7AUDtpY pic.twitter.com/r2vyGoEcFO | |
| Kavanaugh asks Sen Klobuchar multiple times if she's had alcoholic blackouts. pic.twitter.com/3huBRb2JEo | |
| Harris: Are you willing to ask the WH to authorize the FBI to investigate the claims that have been made against you? Kavanaugh: The witness testimony is before you. No witness who was there supports that I was thereHarris: I'm going to take that as a 'no' and we can move on pic.twitter.com/A8eefSsU2V | |
| Writer Moira Donegan has written an analysis of Dr Ford’s testimony in the Guardian: | |
| Dr Ford’s vulnerability was contrasted with her competence. She calmly responded to repetitive factual queries, even when the lines of questioning by Rachel Mitchell, the female prosecutor hired by Republicans to put a gentle, feminine sheen on their skepticism toward Dr Ford, veered into the insulting and preposterous. | |
| Dr Ford answered questions about whether she had been sufficiently traumatized by her assault, about who paid for the polygraph test that she passed, and about whether she was really afraid of flying. Dr. Ford, who holds a psychology PhD, effectively served as an expert witness on the psychological impact of her own assault, and provided a remedial education to the Senators on the committee in brain chemistry, memory formation, and trauma response. | |
| Read the full piece here: | |
| The president has now praised Kavanaugh, saying his testimony was “powerful, honest, and riveting”: | The president has now praised Kavanaugh, saying his testimony was “powerful, honest, and riveting”: |
| Judge Kavanaugh showed America exactly why I nominated him. His testimony was powerful, honest, and riveting. Democrats’ search and destroy strategy is disgraceful and this process has been a total sham and effort to delay, obstruct, and resist. The Senate must vote! | Judge Kavanaugh showed America exactly why I nominated him. His testimony was powerful, honest, and riveting. Democrats’ search and destroy strategy is disgraceful and this process has been a total sham and effort to delay, obstruct, and resist. The Senate must vote! |
| Trump’s tweet made no mention of Dr Ford’s testimony. | Trump’s tweet made no mention of Dr Ford’s testimony. |
| Some more from the Associated Press about Trump’s reaction to the hearings: | Some more from the Associated Press about Trump’s reaction to the hearings: |
| A White House official told the AP that the West Wing saw the judge’s opening statement as “game changing” and said Trump appeared to be reacting positively. | A White House official told the AP that the West Wing saw the judge’s opening statement as “game changing” and said Trump appeared to be reacting positively. |
| Trump watched the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Air Force One as he traveled from New York, then resumed monitoring back at the White House. | Trump watched the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Air Force One as he traveled from New York, then resumed monitoring back at the White House. |
| Two Republicans close to the White House say Trump expressed sympathy for Kavanaugh and his family for having to listen to Ford’s tearful recounting of allegations. After seeing Ford’s testimony, White House aides and allies expressed concern that Kavanaugh would have an uphill climb to deliver a strong enough showing. | Two Republicans close to the White House say Trump expressed sympathy for Kavanaugh and his family for having to listen to Ford’s tearful recounting of allegations. After seeing Ford’s testimony, White House aides and allies expressed concern that Kavanaugh would have an uphill climb to deliver a strong enough showing. |
| In a sign of how deeply this hearing has divided the Senate, Republican senator Tom Cotton, who is not on the committee, attacked his Democratic colleague, senator Richard Blumenthal’s lack of “courage and honesty”. He tweeted as Blumenthal questioned Kavanaugh’s credibility during the contentious hearing. | In a sign of how deeply this hearing has divided the Senate, Republican senator Tom Cotton, who is not on the committee, attacked his Democratic colleague, senator Richard Blumenthal’s lack of “courage and honesty”. He tweeted as Blumenthal questioned Kavanaugh’s credibility during the contentious hearing. |
| .@SenBlumenthal lied for years about serving in Vietnam, which is all you need to know about his courage & honesty. Maybe he should reconsider before questioning Judge Kavanaugh’s credibility. | .@SenBlumenthal lied for years about serving in Vietnam, which is all you need to know about his courage & honesty. Maybe he should reconsider before questioning Judge Kavanaugh’s credibility. |
| Blumenthal did misrepresent his military service years, but it’s extraordinary to see a senator go after his colleague in this manner. | Blumenthal did misrepresent his military service years, but it’s extraordinary to see a senator go after his colleague in this manner. |
| Republican senator John Kennedy asked the final questions of the evening, saying, “Do you believe in God?” Kavanaugh said he did. | Republican senator John Kennedy asked the final questions of the evening, saying, “Do you believe in God?” Kavanaugh said he did. |
| Kennedy continued, “I want you to look me in the eye. Are Dr Ford’s allegations true?” | Kennedy continued, “I want you to look me in the eye. Are Dr Ford’s allegations true?” |
| “They are not accurate as to me,” the judge responded. “I’ve never done this ... Never done this to her or anyone else.” | “They are not accurate as to me,” the judge responded. “I’ve never done this ... Never done this to her or anyone else.” |
| Asked about the Deborah Ramirez allegations, Kavanaugh said, “If that had happened, that would’ve been the talk of campus.” | Asked about the Deborah Ramirez allegations, Kavanaugh said, “If that had happened, that would’ve been the talk of campus.” |
| “None of these allegations are true? No doubt in your mind?” asked Kennedy. | “None of these allegations are true? No doubt in your mind?” asked Kennedy. |
| “Zero,” Kavanaugh responded. | “Zero,” Kavanaugh responded. |
| The final question of the day: “Do you swear to God?” | The final question of the day: “Do you swear to God?” |
| “I swear to God,” Kavanaugh responded. | “I swear to God,” Kavanaugh responded. |
| Democratic senator Kamala Harris asked Kavanaugh if he has taken a polygraph test in relation to the allegations. | Democratic senator Kamala Harris asked Kavanaugh if he has taken a polygraph test in relation to the allegations. |
| Kavanaugh respoded, “No. I’ll do whatever the committee wants. Of course, those are not admissible in federal court.” | Kavanaugh respoded, “No. I’ll do whatever the committee wants. Of course, those are not admissible in federal court.” |
| Harris asked Kavanaugh about the calls for a FBI investigation, saying, “Are you willing to ask the White House to conduct an investigation by the FBI?” | Harris asked Kavanaugh about the calls for a FBI investigation, saying, “Are you willing to ask the White House to conduct an investigation by the FBI?” |
| He repeatedly refused to answer the question until Harris said: “I’m going to take that as a no.” | He repeatedly refused to answer the question until Harris said: “I’m going to take that as a no.” |
| Harris asked him about his comments of a “conspiracy”, citing the successful appointment of Neil Gorsuch. He said he already answered that question. | Harris asked him about his comments of a “conspiracy”, citing the successful appointment of Neil Gorsuch. He said he already answered that question. |
| “Do you think it is possible for men to be both friends with women and treat other women badly?” she asked. | “Do you think it is possible for men to be both friends with women and treat other women badly?” she asked. |
| “Of course,” Kavanaugh responded, “But the point I’ve been emphasizing is if you go back to age 14 for me, you will find people ... lots of people I’v been friends with ... women ... It’s a consistent pattern all the way through, 65 women who knew me more than 35 years ago signed a letter to support me.” | “Of course,” Kavanaugh responded, “But the point I’ve been emphasizing is if you go back to age 14 for me, you will find people ... lots of people I’v been friends with ... women ... It’s a consistent pattern all the way through, 65 women who knew me more than 35 years ago signed a letter to support me.” |
| Harris’ final question: “Did you watch Dr Ford’s testimony?” | Harris’ final question: “Did you watch Dr Ford’s testimony?” |
| “I did not. I plan to. I was preparing mine,” he said. | “I did not. I plan to. I was preparing mine,” he said. |
| Republican Ted Cruz expressed sympathy for Kavanaugh: | Republican Ted Cruz expressed sympathy for Kavanaugh: |
| This has been one of the most shameful chapters in the history of the United States Senate. Watching your mother’s pained face has been heart-wrenching as she’s seen her son’s character dragged through the mud ... The American people can set aside the partisan warfare of Washington and look toward substance and facts ... I do not believe Senate Democrats have treated you with respect ... | This has been one of the most shameful chapters in the history of the United States Senate. Watching your mother’s pained face has been heart-wrenching as she’s seen her son’s character dragged through the mud ... The American people can set aside the partisan warfare of Washington and look toward substance and facts ... I do not believe Senate Democrats have treated you with respect ... |
| Cruz also attacked Democratic senator Dianne Feinstein for her handling of Dr Ford’s story. She responded: | Cruz also attacked Democratic senator Dianne Feinstein for her handling of Dr Ford’s story. She responded: |
| I did not hide Dr Ford’s allegation. I did not leak her story. She asked me to hold it confidential, and I kept it confidential. She apparently was stalked by the press ... She felt she was forced to come forward. And her greatest fear was realized. She has been harassed. She has had death threats. She had to flee her home. | I did not hide Dr Ford’s allegation. I did not leak her story. She asked me to hold it confidential, and I kept it confidential. She apparently was stalked by the press ... She felt she was forced to come forward. And her greatest fear was realized. She has been harassed. She has had death threats. She had to flee her home. |
| Asked if her staff leaked the information, Feinstein responded, “The answer is no ... It did not leak from us, I assure you of that.” | Asked if her staff leaked the information, Feinstein responded, “The answer is no ... It did not leak from us, I assure you of that.” |
| Democrat Cory Booker confirmed that Kavanaugh drank on weekdays in high school, and also confirmed that the judge’s position was that he never had gaps in memory when drinking. | Democrat Cory Booker confirmed that Kavanaugh drank on weekdays in high school, and also confirmed that the judge’s position was that he never had gaps in memory when drinking. |
| Reading Kavanaugh’s comments from earlier, the senator continued, “Are you saying that Dr Ford’s efforts to come forward ... have all been part of an orchestrated political hit? Are you basically calling her some kind of political operative?” | Reading Kavanaugh’s comments from earlier, the senator continued, “Are you saying that Dr Ford’s efforts to come forward ... have all been part of an orchestrated political hit? Are you basically calling her some kind of political operative?” |
| “My family has no ill will to Dr Ford,” Kavanaugh responded. | “My family has no ill will to Dr Ford,” Kavanaugh responded. |
| “Do you wish that she never came forward? Do you wish she would just remain silent?” Booker said. | “Do you wish that she never came forward? Do you wish she would just remain silent?” Booker said. |
| “All allegations should be taken seriously,” Kavanaugh responded, adding, “I don’t know her. We bear no ill will to her.” | “All allegations should be taken seriously,” Kavanaugh responded, adding, “I don’t know her. We bear no ill will to her.” |
| Senator Thom Tillis echoed earlier comments from Kavanaugh in his remarks: | Senator Thom Tillis echoed earlier comments from Kavanaugh in his remarks: |
| Judge Kavanaugh, I also have to say you’re the first major target of a new strategy that’s developed here... It’s basically ‘attack, attack, attack’... This is the playbook. This is the way we’re going to run this committee? ... | Judge Kavanaugh, I also have to say you’re the first major target of a new strategy that’s developed here... It’s basically ‘attack, attack, attack’... This is the playbook. This is the way we’re going to run this committee? ... |
| I believe that you’re going to be on the bench. | I believe that you’re going to be on the bench. |
| Senator Mazie Hirono, a Democrat, criticized Kavanaugh for his attacks on Democrats, citing Dr Ford’s powerful testimony: | Senator Mazie Hirono, a Democrat, criticized Kavanaugh for his attacks on Democrats, citing Dr Ford’s powerful testimony: |
| We heard from Dr Christine Ford who spoke to us with quiet, raw emotional power about what happened to her. She said she was 100% certain it was you who attacked her. She explained how she came forward, how she struggled with her decision. ... When you and my colleagues on the other side accuse us of ambushing you .... I think we all have to remember Dr Ford’s testimony and her courage. | We heard from Dr Christine Ford who spoke to us with quiet, raw emotional power about what happened to her. She said she was 100% certain it was you who attacked her. She explained how she came forward, how she struggled with her decision. ... When you and my colleagues on the other side accuse us of ambushing you .... I think we all have to remember Dr Ford’s testimony and her courage. |
| She asked him if he believed “temperament” was an important factor for senators to consider when evaluating him? | She asked him if he believed “temperament” was an important factor for senators to consider when evaluating him? |
| Kavanaugh said he had been consistently praised for having good temperament in court. | Kavanaugh said he had been consistently praised for having good temperament in court. |
| Asked about his behavior in college, he talked about his acceptance to Yale law: “I got into Yale Law School. That’s the number one law school in the country ... Look at my academic record. I don’t usually like to talk about myself this way. I worked very hard in college.” | Asked about his behavior in college, he talked about his acceptance to Yale law: “I got into Yale Law School. That’s the number one law school in the country ... Look at my academic record. I don’t usually like to talk about myself this way. I worked very hard in college.” |
| We’re on a five-minute break. Republican senators have repeatedly mentioned an earlier quote from then-senator Joe Biden during the Anita Hill hearings about the FBI. Here’s a response from Biden’s spokesperson about FBI background investigations. | We’re on a five-minute break. Republican senators have repeatedly mentioned an earlier quote from then-senator Joe Biden during the Anita Hill hearings about the FBI. Here’s a response from Biden’s spokesperson about FBI background investigations. |
| Biden’s spokesperson weighs in on the thrice-read quote from Biden about FBI background investigations —> pic.twitter.com/mBxFKqVfYV | Biden’s spokesperson weighs in on the thrice-read quote from Biden about FBI background investigations —> pic.twitter.com/mBxFKqVfYV |
| And a video from earlier in the day when senator Grassley mentioned Biden: | And a video from earlier in the day when senator Grassley mentioned Biden: |
| Senator Grassley quotes then-Senator Joe Biden during Anita Hill hearings, saying the "FBI explicitly does not, in this or any other case, reach a conclusion." https://t.co/TwbFEzDBHA pic.twitter.com/D3b5IL9rAH | Senator Grassley quotes then-Senator Joe Biden during Anita Hill hearings, saying the "FBI explicitly does not, in this or any other case, reach a conclusion." https://t.co/TwbFEzDBHA pic.twitter.com/D3b5IL9rAH |
| Democratic senator Richard Blumenthal asked about Renate Dolphin, a former classmate. Kavanaugh was among those named as “Renate alumni” in his yearbook. Dolphin said the remarks were “hurtful”. Kavanaugh responded by chastising the senator for bringing up her name: | Democratic senator Richard Blumenthal asked about Renate Dolphin, a former classmate. Kavanaugh was among those named as “Renate alumni” in his yearbook. Dolphin said the remarks were “hurtful”. Kavanaugh responded by chastising the senator for bringing up her name: |
| Your question is based on a false premise and really does great harm to her. You’re doing great harm to her by bringing her name up. ... Look what you’re doing. ... You’re just dragging her through the mud. It’s just unnecessary. | Your question is based on a false premise and really does great harm to her. You’re doing great harm to her by bringing her name up. ... Look what you’re doing. ... You’re just dragging her through the mud. It’s just unnecessary. |
| Blumenthal also asked if the judge believed Anita Hill at the end of his remarks, but the questioned moved on and Kavanaugh did not answer. | Blumenthal also asked if the judge believed Anita Hill at the end of his remarks, but the questioned moved on and Kavanaugh did not answer. |