Senator's dramatic demand spurs Trump to order FBI Kavanaugh probe

[rooster59]

Senator's dramatic demand spurs Trump to order FBI Kavanaugh probe

By Amanda Becker, David Morgan and Lawrence Hurley

 

Professor Christine Blasey Ford and U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh (R), testify in this combination photo during a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, U.S., September 27, 2018. Win McNamee/Pool and REUTERS/Jim Bourg (R)

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A dramatic last-minute demand by Republican Senator Jeff Flake on Friday prompted President Donald Trump to order an FBI investigation into his Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh over sexual misconduct allegations that have riveted the country and imperilled his confirmation chances.

 

With tempers flaring on both sides, the Republican-led Senate Judiciary Committee approved Kavanaugh's nomination and sent it to the full Senate over Democratic opposition, with Flake providing the decisive vote.

 

But Flake, a moderate Republican who is retiring from the Senate in January, cast his vote only after asking the panel to request that the Trump administration pursue an FBI probe of the explosive allegations against Kavanaugh and delay a final Senate confirmation vote for up to a week to let the investigation run its course. Trump granted the request.

 

Flake's action came a day after the committee's jarring and emotional hearing into the allegations against Kavanaugh that gripped the country, with a university professor named Christine Blasey Ford accusing him of sexually assaulting her in 1982 when both were high schools students in Maryland. Kavanaugh denied the accusation.

 

In a statement issued by the White House, Kavanaugh said he would cooperate with the FBI.

 

"Throughout this process, I've been interviewed by the FBI, I've done a number of 'background' calls directly with the Senate, and yesterday, I answered questions under oath about every topic the Senators and their counsel asked me. I've done everything they have requested and will continue to cooperate," Kavanaugh said.

 

The prospect of a new investigation put the confirmation chances for Kavanaugh, a conservative federal appeals court judge nominated for a lifetime job on the top U.S. court, in further jeopardy in a Senate only narrowly controlled by Trump's fellow Republicans.

 

Democrats, who have opposed Kavanaugh's nomination from the outset, had called for an FBI probe, but Republicans and Trump had opposed the move.

 

"I've ordered the FBI to conduct a supplemental investigation to update Judge Kavanaugh's file. As the Senate has requested, this update must be limited in scope and completed in less than one week," Trump said in a statement.

 

Flake said it is up to the FBI to determine what allegations are credible. Two other women have accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct, allegations he also denied.

 

If confirmed, Kavanaugh would consolidate conservative control of the nation's highest court and advance Trump's broad effort to shift the American judiciary to the right.

 

"This country's being ripped apart here," Flake, with a pained look on his face, told his fellow senators about the nomination fight. "I think we can have a short pause," he added.

 

"We ought to do what we can to make sure that we do all due diligence with a nomination this important," said Flake, who earlier in the day announced he would vote for Kavanaugh in the committee.

 

Even before Flake's announcement, it was unclear if Republicans had the votes to confirm Kavanaugh on the Senate floor. Republicans hold a slim Senate 51-49 majority, making the votes of two other so-far undecided Republican moderates crucial: Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins.

 

Trump said Murkowski and Collins must do what they think is right. Murkowski and Collins said they supported Flake's move, as did moderate Democrats Joe Manchin and Heidi Heitkamp, who have not yet announced how they will vote on Kavanaugh.

 

"I'm going to let the Senate handle that. They'll make their decisions. And they've been doing a good job," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when told about Flake's move.

 

The Republican president, however, indicated he was sticking with Kavanaugh's nomination, saying he has not thought "even a little bit" about replacing him.

 

Ford's lawyer, Debra Katz, welcomed the investigation and thanked the senators who pushed for it but decried the limits imposed on it. "A thorough FBI investigation is critical to developing all the relevant facts," Katz said.

 

The committee advanced the nomination 11-10 along party lines. On the Senate floor, Trump can afford to lose the vote of only one senator in his own party if all the Democrats vote against Kavanaugh and Vice President Pence casts a tie-breaking vote.

 

Just before the scheduled vote in the committee, Flake left the room to talk to some Democrats, adding turmoil to the proceedings. During the delay, senators and aides could be seen in the committee room having hushed conversations, with some going back and forth to an anteroom of the committee chamber.

 

Democratic Senator Chris Coons played an important role in the negotiations.

 

Earlier in the day Flake, who had previously raised concerns about the allegations against Kavanaugh, said Ford gave "compelling testimony" but Kavanaugh provided "a persuasive response."

 

Soon after Flake made his announcement that he would vote for Kavanaugh, the senator was confronted in an elevator while on his way to the committee meeting by two protesters who said they were sexual assault survivors.

 

"That's what you're telling all women in America - that they don't matter, they should just keep it to themselves," one of the protesters shouted at Flake in an exchange aired by CNN.

 

"I need to go to my hearing. I've issued my statement," Flake said.

 

The timing of the panel's session gave committee members little time to digest Thursday's extraordinary testimony from Kavanaugh and Ford. Kavanaugh accused Democrats of a "calculated and orchestrated political hit."

 

Trump said he found Ford's testimony "very compelling" and Kavanaugh's angry and defiant response "incredible."

 

Before Flake's move, committee Republicans voted down a Democratic motion seeking to subpoena Mark Judge, a Kavanaugh friend who Ford said witnessed the assault. Judge had told the committee in a written statement he does not recall any such incident. He is likely to be central to any FBI probe.

 

"If the FBI or any law enforcement agency requests Mr. Judge's cooperation, he will answer any and all questions posed to him," said his lawyer, Barbara Van Gelder.

 

'INTERGALACTIC FREAK SHOW'

 

As the committee set its vote, some Democrats left the room in protest. "What a railroad job," Democratic Senator Mazie Hirono said. One Republican, Senator John Kennedy, called Kavanaugh's confirmation process "an intergalactic freak show."

 

Senator Dianne Feinstein, the committee's senior Democrat, called Kavanaugh's remarks unseemly for a judicial nominee.

 

"This was someone who was aggressive and belligerent. I have never seen someone who wants to be elevated to the highest court in the country behave in that manner. In stark contrast, the person who testified yesterday and demonstrated a balanced temperament was Dr. Ford," Feinstein said.

 

After Flake's move, some of the partisan rancour appeared to dissipate.

 

"We had a good day today by moving the nominee, a good day. We're very happy with the progress we made," Republican Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said.

 

The controversy has unfolded just weeks ahead of the Nov. 6 congressional elections in which Democrats are trying to seize control of Congress from the Republicans, against a backdrop of the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and assault.

 

The American Bar Association, which earlier endorsed Kavanaugh, and the dean of Yale Law School, which Kavanaugh attended, also called for an FBI probe on Friday, the first indication of the legal profession turning on the nominee.

 

Kavanaugh could be the deciding vote on contentious legal issues if he is confirmed to the nine-member court, with disputes involving abortion, immigration, gay rights, voting rights and transgender troops possibly heading to the court soon. The court begins its next term on Monday, down one justice after the retirement of conservative Anthony Kennedy effective in July. Trump nominated Kavanaugh to replace Kennedy.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-09-29

 

 

[Samui Bodoh]

"...A dramatic last-minute demand by Republican Senator Jeff Flake on Friday prompted President Donald Trump to order an FBI investigation into his Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh over sexual misconduct allegations that have riveted the country and imperilled his confirmation chances..."

 

Good, the investigation should have already occurred, but better late than never.

 

This is a terribly difficult situation and I don't envy the Senators who have to make the final decision. Further, this is evidence of what we all already knew; the US political system and institutions are reaching a critical breaking point.

 

There is a simple truth about the US political system; it relies not on parties and an adversarial atmosphere (as in Parliamentary systems), but rather on representatives being able to put differences aside and unite around a common cause. Until now, the US polity has been able to function, but one does have to ask 'how much longer?' It is a highly complex organism, but in my view the (overly) simple, short answer is that the Americans need to find a way to get money out of politics to a large extent; it doesn't matter which party you are in, if an outside billionaire/well-funded group decides to target you if you vote a certain way, you are going to seriously consider voting as instructed. Yes, we can all say that they should stick to their principles and 'damn the torpedoes!', but it is very human to want to keep your job.

 

What's the answer? I don't really know, but limits on campaign finances and party 'discipline' are good places to start. 

 

I ain't holding my breath...

 

[dcutman]

I am sure the dems have shills lined up for the next several weeks, to make even more BS allegations. They will demand an FBI investigation for every single one starting most likely tonight or early tomorrow  morning.

Edited September 28, 2018 by dcutman

[Somtamnication]

Good to know about this. If there is a shred of doubt, do not vote for the guy. Pure and simple. Forget party lines.

 

Oh, I forgot, this is the USA. There are no standards.

[stevenl]

36 minutes ago, dcutman said:

I am sure the dems have shills lined up for the next several weeks, to make even more BS allegations. They will demand an FBI investigation for every single one starting most likely tonight or early tomorrow  morning.

Nonsense.

 

They rightfully asked for an investigation, that investigation is coming. Either his name will be cleared and he can accept the seat without a could hanging over him, or it can be proven there is something to the allegations and he rightfully will not be on the seat.

 

Good result, should have been this way ever since hers and after that others allegations came up.

[simple1]

42 minutes ago, dcutman said:

I am sure the dems have shills lined up for the next several weeks, to make even more BS allegations. They will demand an FBI investigation for every single one starting most likely tonight or early tomorrow  morning.

Do the ABA & Yale Law School equate to "shills'? A member above commented the US political system and institutions are reaching breaking point. Some members ultra partisan observations indicate the Trump Administration has already reached its end goal for its truly destructive authoritarian anti institutional agenda.

Edited September 28, 2018 by simple1

[Jingthing]

A token week regardless of what's uncovered. The train rolls on. This is almost definitely a tactic to give political cover for some republicans with the hope that the midterm damage can be reduced. 

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/opinions/wp/2018/09/28/it-is-very-difficult-to-get-the-train-to-stop/

 

Quote

 

The train will continue, and you will be crushed

...

“I was … wondering whether I would just be jumping in front of a train that was headed to where it was headed anyway, and that I would just be personally annihilated.”
— Christine Blasey Ford, on whether to come forward

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

I’ll remind Y’ll, when Kavanaugh decided to continue his appointment hearing in the face of the allegations rather than step down, your friendly Chomper said, I now believe Kavanaugh will end up in the slammer’.

 

He’s done the dumb thing.

 

 

He’s toast.

[Credo]

5 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I’ll remind Y’ll, when Kavanaugh decided to continue his appointment hearing in the face of the allegations rather than step down, your friendly Chomper said, I now believe Kavanaugh will end up in the slammer’.

 

He’s done the dumb thing.

 

 

He’s toast.

The alleged sexual assault will not result in any legal action.   It's difficult to try such a case.

 

However, he did make some false statements in his hearing which could result in some real problems.   

[neeray]

As usual, caught between a rock and a hard place, Trump retreated.

And he has Jeff Flake to thank for saving the Republicans from committing political suicide in the process.

[alfalfa19]

It seems Brett managed to fit in a few acting classes between his drinking sessions at Yale. 

[alfalfa19]

48 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I’ll remind Y’ll, when Kavanaugh decided to continue his appointment hearing in the face of the allegations rather than step down, your friendly Chomper said, I now believe Kavanaugh will end up in the slammer’.

 

He’s done the dumb thing.

 

 

He’s toast.

He'll never end up in the slammer.  His buddy Trump would be there to pardon him if the unthinkable happened. 

[GroveHillWanderer]

2 hours ago, dcutman said:

I am sure the dems have shills lined up for the next several weeks, to make even more BS allegations. They will demand an FBI investigation for every single one starting most likely tonight or early tomorrow  morning.

Since the terms of the investigation specifically preclude looking into any new allegations, that would be irrelevant even if it does happen.

•  

  Quote

   

  • according to a statement from the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday.
  • “The supplemental FBI background investigation would be limited to current credible allegations against the nominee 

   

[KMartinHandyman]

Nonsense.
 
They rightfully asked for an investigation, that investigation is coming. Either his name will be cleared and he can accept the seat without a could hanging over him, or it can be proven there is something to the allegations and he rightfully will not be on the seat.
 
Good result, should have been this way ever since hers and after that others allegations came up.

Yes July 30th when Feinstein’s office received the letter she should have brought it to the 21 members of the senate nomination committee to be investigated.

[sungod]

Following this as a matter of being forced to really as its on the TV all the time, but has any reason been given that it took 36 years for this allegation to surface, that it also coincides with is what a political appointment?

[neeray]

1 minute ago, sungod said:

Following this as a matter of being forced to really as its on the TV all the time, but has any reason been given that it took 36 years for this allegation to surface, that it also coincides with is what a political appointment?

 

The reason for 36 years has been given many times in most media, including this forum.

In a nutshell, she felt compelled to exercise her civic duty by helping restrain this two-faced liar from an appointment to the Supreme Court.

[scorecard]

3 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...A dramatic last-minute demand by Republican Senator Jeff Flake on Friday prompted President Donald Trump to order an FBI investigation into his Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh over sexual misconduct allegations that have riveted the country and imperilled his confirmation chances..."

 

Good, the investigation should have already occurred, but better late than never.

 

This is a terribly difficult situation and I don't envy the Senators who have to make the final decision. Further, this is evidence of what we all already knew; the US political system and institutions are reaching a critical breaking point.

 

There is a simple truth about the US political system; it relies not on parties and an adversarial atmosphere (as in Parliamentary systems), but rather on representatives being able to put differences aside and unite around a common cause. Until now, the US polity has been able to function, but one does have to ask 'how much longer?' It is a highly complex organism, but in my view the (overly) simple, short answer is that the Americans need to find a way to get money out of politics to a large extent; it doesn't matter which party you are in, if an outside billionaire/well-funded group decides to target you if you vote a certain way, you are going to seriously consider voting as instructed. Yes, we can all say that they should stick to their principles and 'damn the torpedoes!', but it is very human to want to keep your job.

 

What's the answer? I don't really know, but limits on campaign finances and party 'discipline' are good places to start. 

 

I ain't holding my breath...

 

 

Just another example of yankee democracy at work, makes a complete mockery of the whole concept of democracy, starting with the openly stated intent of appointing judges who have an actual track record of court decisions which are sympathetic to the party.

 

(Not new of course, been like this for decades and all parties have engaged in this disgraceful activity.)

 

Whatever happened to impartiality? Seems to me that the very best judges can put aside their own biases (and all human being have biases) and make ruling which align totally to the intent of the law in the case at hand.

 

IMHO one of the assessment criteria for judges who are being considered for this very high rank should be a track record of impartiality.  Further, if this was the selection criteria it would put pressure on judges to be impartial otherwise they have no chance of higher office - surely that's the way it should be. 

 

The selection process as it stands contributes strongly to making a mockery of democracy.

 

 

Edited September 29, 2018 by scorecard

[zaphod reborn]

56 minutes ago, alfalfa19 said:

He'll never end up in the slammer.  His buddy Trump would be there to pardon him if the unthinkable happened. 

 

Crimes like rape and sexual offense (Maryland sex crimes) are state crimes, unless they occur on federal property.  Trump has no power to pardon state crimes, only the state governors do.  Doubtful that Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), who is not a Trump supporter, would pardon Kavanaugh.

[Becker]

3 hours ago, dcutman said:

I am sure the dems have shills lined up for the next several weeks, to make even more BS allegations. They will demand an FBI investigation for every single one starting most likely tonight or early tomorrow  morning.

And I am sure you have lined up a string of BS posts just like this one.

[Chomper Higgot]

The FBI are going to go after:

 

Kavanaugh’s ‘wingman’ Mark Judge (He’ll cut a deal against Kavanaugh but still do time himself).

 

Kavanaugh’s multiple counts of Purjury before The Senate, both for this appointment and for his previous appointment to the appellate court.

 

Kavanaugh’s perjured financial declaration to the Senate.

 

Kavanaugh’s ‘disappearing’ debts, where he managed to find the deposite for his house (at a time when he was in debt), where he found the $92,000 membership fee for his country club.

 

Tax and corruption charges relating to the above.

 

Kavanaugh’s gambling, alcohol and drug usage.

 

Kavanaugh’s (alleged) sex crimes.

 

 

 

His life as he knows it is over.

[Gecko123]

Considering that the Republicans were forced to take this step only because Flake conditioned his vote on voting on the nomination on an investigation being done, and considering how the Republicans pre-empted the planned questioning of Kavanaugh by the sex crimes prosecutor and instead used all of their time to berate the Democrats for delaying release of Ford's confidential letter and impertinently calling for an FBI investigation to get to the bottom of these allegations, I am not optimistic that the agreement to investigate is anything more than a political fig leaf.

 

These confirmation hearings have really spotlighted how important faith in the judicial system is to social cohesion, and how destructive it can be when a love for justice and fairness takes a back seat to partisanship and special interests. I agree wholeheartedly with @Samui Bodoh

that money in politics is a huge part of the problem. Unfortunately, Kavanaugh's record on campaign finance reform is yet another example that he does not represent the interests of the "little guy" i.e., most Thai Visa Forum members.

 

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/09/kavanaugh-confirmation-hearings-the-judges-disastrous-record-on-campaign-finance.html

Edited September 29, 2018 by Gecko123

[ReMarKable]

Kavanaugh lied to the senate judiciary committee when he said he was of legal drinking age as a senior in high school.  He said the drinking age was 18, but it was 21.  Why wouldn't he lie about assaulting a teenager and attempting to rape her.  He seemed unstable during his testimony and the kind of partisan judge everyone knows he is.

[neeray]

18 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

His life as he knows it is over.

 

That being the case, his "CRY ME A RIVER" dramatic display is just beginning.

 

Thanks for listing all this crap. While I always had my suspicions, I didn't know he could be this "dirty". I wonder how many expensive watches HE has ????.

[Tug]

What really pisses me off is the utter lack of leadership on the republican side they should have given this woman due respect and insisted on an FBI investigation to clear or disqualify their guy a total waste of our good will towards government a very poor showing on all levels by the republicans except Jeff thankyou sir

[sungod]

2 hours ago, neeray said:

 

The reason for 36 years has been given many times in most media, including this forum.

In a nutshell, she felt compelled to exercise her civic duty by helping restrain this two-faced liar from an appointment to the Supreme Court.

 

I have not seen any reason given, hence me asking. But it seems awfully suspicious to me she would wait until now to perform her civic duty. Sexual assault allegations are very serious, her civic duty would have been to report the crime at the time thus to possibly prevent further attacks to other women.

 

I'm a Brit, and thought our politics were in a mess until see whats happening in the US, this smells of political BS to me.

[Tchooptip]

5 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...A dramatic last-minute demand by Republican Senator Jeff Flake on Friday prompted President Donald Trump to order an FBI investigation into his Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh over sexual misconduct allegations that have riveted the country and imperilled his confirmation chances..."

 

Good, the investigation should have already occurred, but better late than never.

 

This is a terribly difficult situation and I don't envy the Senators who have to make the final decision. Further, this is evidence of what we all already knew; the US political system and institutions are reaching a critical breaking point.

 

There is a simple truth about the US political system; it relies not on parties and an adversarial atmosphere (as in Parliamentary systems), but rather on representatives being able to put differences aside and unite around a common cause. Until now, the US polity has been able to function, but one does have to ask 'how much longer?' It is a highly complex organism, but in my view the (overly) simple, short answer is that the Americans need to find a way to get money out of politics to a large extent; it doesn't matter which party you are in, if an outside billionaire/well-funded group decides to target you if you vote a certain way, you are going to seriously consider voting as instructed. Yes, we can all say that they should stick to their principles and 'damn the torpedoes!', but it is very human to want to keep your job.

 

What's the answer? I don't really know, but limits on campaign finances and party 'discipline' are good places to start. 

 

I ain't holding my breath...

 

Again, a really balanced comment from this member 

[ReMarKable]

Devils Triangle

 

A drinking game where you get a girl too drunk to consent (and hopefully to resist) to having sex with you and a buddy at the same time. Eye contact is to be avoided to provide plausible deniability to your sexual orientation and any other questions that may come up about the event in the future.

 

 

[Srikcir]

3 hours ago, neeray said:

he has Jeff Flake to thank for saving the Republicans from committing political suicide in the process.

No thanks earned.

6 hours ago, rooster59 said:

he Republican-led Senate Judiciary Committee approved Kavanaugh's nomination and sent it to the full Senate over Democratic opposition, with Flake providing the decisive vote.

Flake could have saved the American citizens by NOT providing the decisive vote. A nay from Flake would have ended Kavanaugh's candidacy. Instead this nomination circus will continue.

[newatthis]

23 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

No thanks earned.

Flake could have saved the American citizens by NOT providing the decisive vote. A nay from Flake would have ended Kavanaugh's candidacy. Instead this nomination circus will continue.

 

True. If he had doubts enough to call for an FBI investigation, he should have voted "Nay" or ,at the very least, deferred voting until after the FBI investigation.

[Cory1848]

1 hour ago, sungod said:

 

I have not seen any reason given, hence me asking. But it seems awfully suspicious to me she would wait until now to perform her civic duty. Sexual assault allegations are very serious, her civic duty would have been to report the crime at the time thus to possibly prevent further attacks to other women.

 

I'm a Brit, and thought our politics were in a mess until see whats happening in the US, this smells of political BS to me.

 

The reasons why a woman, especially fifteen years old, would be reluctant to report an assault are manifold and have been discussed exhaustively in the press and other forums. I myself have never been sexually assaulted, nor do I know what it feels like to be a disempowered person in the presence of a pack of alpha males, so I am obliged to give this woman every benefit of the doubt.