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Christine Blasey Ford faces questions over Brett Kavanaugh allegations – live updates Christine Blasey Ford '100%' certain Brett Kavanaugh assaulted her – live updates
(35 minutes later)
Senator Whitehouse uses his five minutes to lambast whom he describes as the 13 men who have let Dr Ford down since she sent her allegations were made public. He lists them as Donald Trump, FBI director Chistopher Wray and the 11 Republican senators on the senate judiciary committee.
Whitehouse says all of them have blocked a proper investigation into her claims, arguing, as other Democrats have, that the FBI should have opened an investigation into Dr Ford’s claims.
“I submit that never, never in the history of background investigations has an investigation not been pursued when new, credible information is brought forward about a candidate,” Whitehouse says. “I don’t think this has ever happened in the history of FBI investigations. In my view, this is a great disservice to you.”
The comments irk Senator Grassley who, once again, defends the committee’s handling of Dr Ford’s allegations.
We’re back and Republican Senator John Cornyn hands over to Rachel Mitchell.
Mitchell is asking Dr Ford about the different dates of the alleged assault she gave to a reporter at the Washington Post, mid 1980s, compared with her letter to Senator Dianne Feinstein in the early 1980s. She doesn’t ask for any elaboration, only confirmation.
Again, Mitchell’s five minutes are up. The questions are handed to Democratic senator Sheldon Whitehouse.
Just before Dr Ford was sworn in to testify Democratic Senator Kamala Harris sent an important messages to other survivors of sexual assault who may be watching this hearing and reliving their trauma.
We’re reposting that below:
Right now, many survivors of sexual assault are reliving trauma. If you’re a survivor, know that you are not alone. If you need to talk, you can call 800-656-HOPE to reach a national, confidential helpline 24/7. There is also an online hotline here -> https://t.co/iR9B8qvVMx.
I’m going to repost that powerful exchange between Senator Leahy and Dr Ford, which will likely dominate cable news in the aftermath of this hearing. It’s a chilling, detailed description of Dr Ford’s recollection of Brett Kavanaugh and Mark Judge allegedly laughing at her during the assault.
Sen. Patrick Leahy: What is the "strongest memory" of the incident?Christine Blasey Ford: "The laughter, the uproarious laughter between the two, and their having fun at my expense" https://t.co/x71KG2LMVL #KavanaughHearings pic.twitter.com/rqqEAOYYni
While Dr Ford has insisted throughout her powerful testimony that she is not seeking to influence any partisan political agenda, it seems that some people watching on Fox News do not believe her.
The @foxnews live feed is as horrifying as you'd imagine... pic.twitter.com/ikrNdnjxlt
The committee is now taking a 15-minute break.
Democrat Dick Durbin is next up. He lauds Dr Ford’s courage for coming forward to testify and then moves onto to the pivotal issue of Kavanaugh’s defence. The judge is expected to say in his opening remarks that he has never had a physical or sexual encounter with Dr Ford, but does not rule out that she may have been sexually assaulted, essentially suggesting that the episode is a case of mistaken identity.
Durbin asks: “With what degree of certainty to believe Brett Kavanaugh assaulted you?”
Calmly, and resolutely Dr Ford replies: “100%.”
She then describes an encounter she says she had with Mark Judge at a supermarket weeks after the alleged attack.
“He was nervous and not wanting to speak with me. He looked a little bit ill.”
Mitchell continues her line of questioning, this time taking up the five minutes.Mitchell continues her line of questioning, this time taking up the five minutes.
She asks a few specific questions about the noise levels at the gathering and then asks Dr Ford to recall how she got home on the evening of the alleged incident. Again, her five minutes pass by before the line of questioning is complete.She asks a few specific questions about the noise levels at the gathering and then asks Dr Ford to recall how she got home on the evening of the alleged incident. Again, her five minutes pass by before the line of questioning is complete.
A number of reporters are beginning to question the effectiveness of the Republican’s use of the outside counsel:A number of reporters are beginning to question the effectiveness of the Republican’s use of the outside counsel:
The Republicans have set up a system with Mitchell, where they have to constantly interrupt a woman who's trying to do her job ...The Republicans have set up a system with Mitchell, where they have to constantly interrupt a woman who's trying to do her job ...
Senator Patrick Leahy uses his five minutes to ask Dr Ford what her most vivid memory of the alleged assault is. In a powerful, composed response she describes the “uproarious laughter” of Kavanaugh and his friend Mark Judge who was also allegedly present during the assault. “And them having fun at my expense.”Senator Patrick Leahy uses his five minutes to ask Dr Ford what her most vivid memory of the alleged assault is. In a powerful, composed response she describes the “uproarious laughter” of Kavanaugh and his friend Mark Judge who was also allegedly present during the assault. “And them having fun at my expense.”
“They were laughing with each other,” she says. “Two friends having a really good time with one another.”“They were laughing with each other,” she says. “Two friends having a really good time with one another.”
Republican senator Orrin Hatch hands his questions over to Mitchell. She continues her line of questioning, going straight to the night Dr Ford alleged she was assaulted.Republican senator Orrin Hatch hands his questions over to Mitchell. She continues her line of questioning, going straight to the night Dr Ford alleged she was assaulted.
“Had you had anything to drink?” Mitchell asks.“Had you had anything to drink?” Mitchell asks.
“Not at all,” Ford says.“Not at all,” Ford says.
“Were you on any medication?” Mitchell continues.“Were you on any medication?” Mitchell continues.
“None at all,” Ford responds.“None at all,” Ford responds.
Mitchell then asks Ford to describe the atmosphere at the party.Mitchell then asks Ford to describe the atmosphere at the party.
“Mr Kavanaugh and Mr Judge were extremely inebriated. And other people were not,” Ford recalls. She says the party was not really a party at all, more of a gathering.“Mr Kavanaugh and Mr Judge were extremely inebriated. And other people were not,” Ford recalls. She says the party was not really a party at all, more of a gathering.
“I recall that it was a sparsely furnished, fairly modest living room. I assumed it was going to lead to a party later on. It was kind of a “pre-gathering”.“I recall that it was a sparsely furnished, fairly modest living room. I assumed it was going to lead to a party later on. It was kind of a “pre-gathering”.
Mitchell’s five minutes are up again.Mitchell’s five minutes are up again.
Dr Ford then goes into details of how she was hounded by reporters after her letter was delivered to Senator Feinstein. She says reporters descended on her home, and another went to one of her graduate classes.Dr Ford then goes into details of how she was hounded by reporters after her letter was delivered to Senator Feinstein. She says reporters descended on her home, and another went to one of her graduate classes.
Feinstein ends by asking her to confirm that her memory of the assault, and in particular, Kavanaugh as the alleged assailant was still clear. She confirms it is.Feinstein ends by asking her to confirm that her memory of the assault, and in particular, Kavanaugh as the alleged assailant was still clear. She confirms it is.
“This could not be a case of mistaken identity?” Feinstein asks.“This could not be a case of mistaken identity?” Feinstein asks.
“Absolutely not,” Ford responds.“Absolutely not,” Ford responds.
Feinstein asks Dr Ford about the trauma symptoms she’s endured since the alleged attack. She describes them as: “Anxiety, phobia, and PTSD symptoms”. She adds she has experienced claustrophobia as well.Feinstein asks Dr Ford about the trauma symptoms she’s endured since the alleged attack. She describes them as: “Anxiety, phobia, and PTSD symptoms”. She adds she has experienced claustrophobia as well.
She says that she experienced most trauma in the four years immediately after the alleged attack. “I struggled academically, I struggled in college forming new friendships, especially new friendships with boys.”She says that she experienced most trauma in the four years immediately after the alleged attack. “I struggled academically, I struggled in college forming new friendships, especially new friendships with boys.”
And already Grassley’s five minutes of questions are up and he hands over to Feinstein.And already Grassley’s five minutes of questions are up and he hands over to Feinstein.
Dr Ford was not asked any substantive questions during that exchange, but it’s likely Mitchell will return to her line of questioning after Feinstein’s five minutes are up.Dr Ford was not asked any substantive questions during that exchange, but it’s likely Mitchell will return to her line of questioning after Feinstein’s five minutes are up.
Senator Grassley hands his five minutes of questions over to appointed counsel Rachel Mitchell.Senator Grassley hands his five minutes of questions over to appointed counsel Rachel Mitchell.
Mitchell begins by showing Dr Ford a series of messages she sent to a reporter at the Washington Post and then displays the original letter she sent to Diane Feinstein’s office.Mitchell begins by showing Dr Ford a series of messages she sent to a reporter at the Washington Post and then displays the original letter she sent to Diane Feinstein’s office.
Dr Ford is taking her time to re-read these exhibits, to check them for accuracy.Dr Ford is taking her time to re-read these exhibits, to check them for accuracy.
Before questioning begins, my colleague Sabrina Siddiqui sends this quick analysis on the opening remarks by Senator Grassley and Feinstein:Before questioning begins, my colleague Sabrina Siddiqui sends this quick analysis on the opening remarks by Senator Grassley and Feinstein:
Chuck Grassley, the chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, kicked off the hearing under a tense atmosphere that was amplified by the underlying political implications of the moment.Chuck Grassley, the chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, kicked off the hearing under a tense atmosphere that was amplified by the underlying political implications of the moment.
Although he called for “a fair and respectful hearing”, Grassley swiftly struck a partisan tone by accusing Democrats of engaging in tactics designed to delay consideration of Kavanaugh’s nomination.Although he called for “a fair and respectful hearing”, Grassley swiftly struck a partisan tone by accusing Democrats of engaging in tactics designed to delay consideration of Kavanaugh’s nomination.
Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, went on a lengthy tirade about the process by which Ford’s allegations were brought to light. Grassley also noted the FBI had conducted several background checks on Kavanaugh to date, stating: “Nowhere in any of these six FBI reports, which committee investigators have reviewed on a bipartisan basis, was there ever a whiff of any issue – at all – related in any way to inappropriate sexual behavior.”Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, went on a lengthy tirade about the process by which Ford’s allegations were brought to light. Grassley also noted the FBI had conducted several background checks on Kavanaugh to date, stating: “Nowhere in any of these six FBI reports, which committee investigators have reviewed on a bipartisan basis, was there ever a whiff of any issue – at all – related in any way to inappropriate sexual behavior.”
He went on to suggest his Democratic counterpart on the committee, Senator Dianne Feinstein, had withheld Ford’s allegations as “secret evidence”.He went on to suggest his Democratic counterpart on the committee, Senator Dianne Feinstein, had withheld Ford’s allegations as “secret evidence”.
Grassley’s comments were quickly condemned as an example of the GOP’s refusal to take seriously the allegations at hand.Grassley’s comments were quickly condemned as an example of the GOP’s refusal to take seriously the allegations at hand.
“Right now, @ChuckGrassley is actually comparing the trauma of what has happened to Dr. Christine Blasey Ford to the protests that have inconvenienced Brett Kavanaugh out of an easy confirmation for a huge promotion. This hearing is a disgrace,” NARAL, a pro-choice group, tweeted.“Right now, @ChuckGrassley is actually comparing the trauma of what has happened to Dr. Christine Blasey Ford to the protests that have inconvenienced Brett Kavanaugh out of an easy confirmation for a huge promotion. This hearing is a disgrace,” NARAL, a pro-choice group, tweeted.
White House correspondent Brian Karem tweeted: “The inability for Chuck Grassley to understand why sexual assault victims haven’t come forward during 6 FBI background checks speaks to the entire issue - privilege does not understand that of which it has no experience.”White House correspondent Brian Karem tweeted: “The inability for Chuck Grassley to understand why sexual assault victims haven’t come forward during 6 FBI background checks speaks to the entire issue - privilege does not understand that of which it has no experience.”
Feinstein pushed back on Grassley’s characterizations, stating she had sought to handle Ford’s allegations in a manner that would honor her initial request for confidentiality. As Feinstein attempted to introduce Ford and also detail the other allegations against Kavanaugh, she was interrupted by Grassley, who scolded her for bringing up the other accusers.Feinstein pushed back on Grassley’s characterizations, stating she had sought to handle Ford’s allegations in a manner that would honor her initial request for confidentiality. As Feinstein attempted to introduce Ford and also detail the other allegations against Kavanaugh, she was interrupted by Grassley, who scolded her for bringing up the other accusers.
“I’m sorry you brought up other unsubstantiated allegations,” Grassley said. “We’ll consider other issues at other times.”“I’m sorry you brought up other unsubstantiated allegations,” Grassley said. “We’ll consider other issues at other times.”
Feinstein spent much of her opening remarks seeking to frame Ford’s allegations in the context of the #MeToo movement.Feinstein spent much of her opening remarks seeking to frame Ford’s allegations in the context of the #MeToo movement.
“Too often, women’s memories and credibility come under assault. In essence, they are put on trial and forced to defend themselves and often re-victimized in the process,” Feinstein said.“Too often, women’s memories and credibility come under assault. In essence, they are put on trial and forced to defend themselves and often re-victimized in the process,” Feinstein said.
“What I find most inexcusable is this rush to judgement, the unwillingness to take these kinds of allegations at face value and look at them for what they are,” she added. “A real question of character for someone who is asking for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court.”“What I find most inexcusable is this rush to judgement, the unwillingness to take these kinds of allegations at face value and look at them for what they are,” she added. “A real question of character for someone who is asking for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court.”
Dr Ford ends her composed, powerful opening statement with the following:Dr Ford ends her composed, powerful opening statement with the following:
My motivation in coming forward was to provide the facts about how Mr. Kavanaugh’s actions have damaged my life, so that you can take that into serious consideration as you make your decision about how to proceed. It is not my responsibility to determine whether Mr Kavanaugh deserves to sit on the supreme court. My responsibility is to tell the truth. My motivation in coming forward was to provide the facts about how Mr Kavanaugh’s actions have damaged my life, so that you can take that into serious consideration as you make your decision about how to proceed. It is not my responsibility to determine whether Mr Kavanaugh deserves to sit on the supreme court. My responsibility is to tell the truth.
Dr Ford is now talking about the recent weeks leading up to today’s hearing. She describes the anxiety she went through and how she changed her mind a number of times about whether to take her allegations public:
As the hearing date [Kavanaugh’s] got closer, I struggled with a terrible choice: Do I share the facts with the Senate and put myself and my family in the public spotlight? Or do I preserve our privacy and allow the Senate to make its decision on Mr. Kavanaugh’s nomination without knowing the full truth about his past behavior? I agonized daily with this decision throughout August and early September 2018.
The sense of duty that motivated me to reach out confidentially to The Washington Post, Representative Eshoo’s office, and Senator Feinstein’s office was always there, but my fears of the consequences of speaking out started to increase. During August 2018, the press reported that Mr. Kavanaugh’s confirmation was virtually certain.
His allies painted him as a champion of women’s rights and empowerment. I believed that if I came forward, my voice would be drowned out by a chorus of powerful supporters. By the time of the confirmation hearings, I had resigned myself to remaining quiet and letting the Committee and the Senate make their decision without knowing what Mr. Kavanaugh had done to me.
She continues:
During August 2018, the press reported that Mr. Kavanaugh’s confirmation was virtually certain. His allies painted him as a champion of women’s rights and empowerment. I believed that if I came forward, my voice would be drowned out by a chorus of powerful supporters. By the time of the confirmation hearings, I had resigned myself to remaining quiet and letting the Committee and the Senate make their decision without knowing what Mr. Kavanaugh had done to me.
This is what Christine Blasey Ford is looking at as she describes her sexual assault. pic.twitter.com/GGxmuHnNpZ
Dr Ford now describes how and why she decided to tell the senate about the allegations after his nomination to the supreme court was announced:
I was conflicted about whether to speak out.
On July 9, I received a call from the office of Congresswoman Anna Eshoo after Mr Kavanaugh had become the nominee. I met with her staff on July 11 and with her on July 13, describing the assault and discussing my fear about coming forward. Later, we discussed the possibility of sending a letter to Ranking Member Feinstein, who is one of my state’s senators, describing what occurred.
My understanding is that Representative Eshoo’s office delivered a copy of my letter to Senator Feinstein’s office on July 30, 2018. The letter included my name, but requested that the letter be kept confidential.
Dr Ford moves on to describing how memories of the the alleged assault plagued her into adulthood. She talks about who she shared details of it with following a 2012 therapy session where she first spoke it again:
I recall saying that the boy who assaulted me could someday be on the US supreme court and spoke a bit about his background. My husband recalls that I named my attacker as Brett Kavanaugh. After that May 2012 therapy session, I did my best to suppress memories of the assault because recounting the details caused me to relive the experience, and caused panic attacks and anxiety.
Occasionally I would discuss the assault in an individual therapy, but talking about it caused more reliving of the trauma, so I tried not to think about it or discuss it. But over the years, I went through periods where I thought about Brett’s attack. I confided in some close friends that I had an experience with sexual assault.
Occasionally I stated that my assailant was a prominent lawyer or judge but I did not use his name.
Dr Ford continues:
Brett’s assault on me drastically altered my life. For a very long time, I was too afraid and ashamed to tell anyone the details. I did not want to tell my parents that I, at age 15, was in a house without any parents present, drinking beer with boys. I convinced myself that because Brett did not rape me, I should be able to move on and just pretend that it had never happened. Over the years, I told very, very few friends that I had this traumatic experience. I told my husband before we were married that I had experienced a sexual assault. I had never told the details to anyone until May 2012, during a couples counseling session.
Ford continues, giving details of the evening she says she was sexually assaulted by Kavanaugh. She takes her time, her voice cracking on occasion:
Brett groped me and tried to take off my clothes. He had a hard time because he was so drunk, and because I was wearing a one-piece bathing suit under my clothes. I believed he was going to rape me. I tried to yell for help. When I did, Brett put his hand over my mouth to stop me from screaming. This was what terrified me the most, and has had the most lasting impact on my life. It was hard for me to breathe, and I thought that Brett was accidentally going to kill me.
Christine Blasey Ford is now reading her opening her remarks. Before she begins, she tells Grassley: “I anticipate needing some caffeine if that’s available” after reading her opening remarks.
“I am here today not because I want to be. I am terrified. 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,” she says.
Feinstein continues: “The entire country is watching how we handle these allegations.”
“We are here for one reason to determine whether Judge Kavanaugh should be elevated to one of the powerful positions in this country.”
Feinstein has also moved towards partisan criticism, pointing to the historic parallels between Republican’s treatment of Dr Ford and that of Professor Anita Hill in 1991.
“In 1991 Republicans belittled Anita Hill’s experience... the burden of proof was on Prof Hill. Today our Republican colleagues are declaring, ‘This is is a hiccup’,” she says.
She adds that some Republicans have already indicated they will vote to confirm Kavanaugh without hearing a word from Dr Ford.
“[Some have said] the Senate will plough right through and ensure Judge Kavanaugh will be confirmed,” she says.
Ranking Democrat Dianne Feinstein is now making opening remarks. She moves to rebut some of the partisan criticism leveled at her by Grassley, who argued she delayed sending details of Ford’s allegations to the committee.
She says she handled Ford’s letter with extreme care due to the sensitivity of the allegations.
She says: “How women are treated in the United States with this kind of concern is really wanting a lot of reform.”
She then thanks Dr Ford for “coming forward and being willing to share your story with us”. She introduces Ford to the committee, as Grassley forgot to do so in his opening remarks. “When I saw your CV I was extremely impressed,” she says of Ford’s academic credentials.
Feinstein heralds her “strength and bravery in coming forward.” She adds: “I know it’s hard.”
Grassley defends his decision not to refer Ford’s allegations to the FBI to investigate. He says: “Now it’s up to the senate to assess their credibility.”
He adds: “I look forward to a fair and respectful hearing.”
Once again, Grassley moves to lambast his Democrats on the committee, defending his decision to introduce an expert counsel to question Ford.
“This will be a stark contrast to the grandstanding chaos we saw from the other side,” he says of Mitchell’s appointment.