Christine Blasey Ford, the California professor claiming Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her more than 35 years ago, late Tuesday demanded a "full investigation" by the FBI before she will attend any congressional hearing or "interrogation" into her accusations.
Republicans repeatedly have invited Ford and Kavanaugh to testify on Monday after delaying a planned Judiciary Committee vote on his confirmation that had been scheduled for Thursday. Kavanaugh accepted the committee's invitation, but Ford
stayed mum until Tuesday night.
Ford's insistence on an FBI investigation -- which a federal law enforcement official told Fox News was "totally inappropriate" -- throws the entire hearing into doubt: Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Ia., had threatened to nix the proceeding if Ford refused to participate. It was also sure to add fuel to Republican claims that the allegations -- which were known to ranking Judiciary Committee Democrat Dianne Feinstein in July, but only revealed to federal authorities last Thursday -- are part of a concerted effort to stall Kavanaugh's nomination at the last minute.
In response, a federal law enforcement official told Fox News, “It's totally inappropriate for someone to demand we use law enforcement resources to investigate a 35-year-old allegation when she won't go under oath and can't remember key details including when or where it happened.”
Because Ford's allegations do not involve any federal crime within the applicable statute of limitations, Fox News has learned that the bureau would require explicit instructions from the White House to conduct any additional probe.
Earlier Tuesday, a key potential swing vote senator, Arizona Republican Jeff Flake,
said he would move to push Kavanaugh's nomination forward if Ford refused to show up to the hearing planned for Monday.
More at:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018...r-lawyers.html
Connect With Us