Trump Supreme Court Pick Kavanaugh Under Scrutiny For Sexual Assault Accusations

President Trump’s nominee for the open Supreme Court seat Brett Kavanaugh has faced much scrutiny since the President tapped him for the highest court in the land. In recent weeks, the vote to confirm Kavanaugh has been put on hold thanks to Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s public accusation of decades old sexual assault against Kavanaugh.

Ford wishes to testify before senators to give her side of the story directly to the same congressmen who will vote whether or not to confirm Kavanaugh. Attorneys for Ford are also requesting that Mark Judge, a key witness in the allegation, be subpoenaed and testify as well. Initially, Ford also wanted the FBI to conduct an investigation into the alleged assault before a hearing took place. In recent events, Ford has rescinded that request. Congressional democrats, however, still wish for an FBI investigation, while congressional republicans have largely pushed for a vote on Kavanaugh to take place. Per CNN, senate republicans are likely to push for a vote to take place on Kavanaugh on Wednesday of this coming week. Brett Kavanaugh has expressed interest himself in testifying as soon as possible in order to clear his name.

President Trump, who has been uncharacteristically silent on the allegations, spoke out in a series of tweets on Friday, Sept. 21 saying, “I have no doubt that, if the attack on Dr. Ford was as bad as she says, charges would have been immediately filed with local Law Enforcement Authorities by either her or her loving parents. I ask that she bring those filings forward so that we can learn date, time, and place!” The President defended Kavanaugh in another tweet, while simultaneously accusing democratic politicians of merely trying to delay the vote on Kavanaugh.

Legal experts agree that Ford’s testimony alone, without an investigation, would not make a difference in the minds of the republican led Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee Chairman Chuck Grassley released a statement saying Ford must decide to testify by 10 p.m. on Friday, or the committee will vote on Kavanaugh on Monday. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the top democrat on the Committee, has accused the republican members of the Committee of rushing Ford.

Brett Kavanaugh has denied all guilt in the 30-year old accusation. Were Kavanaugh to be confirmed as the next Supreme Court justice, republicans would hold a 5-4 advantage on the Supreme Court. Many citizens fear the future of the 1973 court case Roe v. Wade with Brett Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court. President Trump wishes for the states to decide their own laws on abortion rights.

In a letter sent Thursday to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Judge Kavanaugh said, “I continue to want a hearing as soon as possible, so that I can clear my name,” while reinforcing that he would be willing to testify on Monday.