Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley said on Wednesday that “no other outside investigation” in needed to look into the allegation of sexual assault against Judge Brett Kavanaugh beyond the committee’s own probe.
Mr. Grassley criticized the Democrats for waiting until September to demand an FBI investigation, despite knowing about Ms. Ford’s allegations in July.
If Senate Dems think they need the FBI to investigate, why didn’t they alert the FBI on July 30? As soon as I learned of the allegations from the Washington Post on Sunday I moved swiftly to follow up on Dr. Ford’s allegations As the FBI has said its role here is complete 3/4
— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) September 19, 2018
He said committee investigators are working to follow up on additional leads from both Ms. Ford’s account and news reports that surfaced in the following days. Mr. Grassley said he doesn’t know why Democrats are “refusing to cooperate” with the committee’s efforts.
Cmte investigators are following up on the leads from Dr. Ford’s allegations & news stories No other OUTSIDE investigation is necessary for the Cmte to do its investigation. Don’t know why Dems are refusing to cooperate in the cmte’s investigation I hope Dems will join me 4/4
— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) September 19, 2018
Ms. Ford’s lawyer informed the Judiciary Committee Tuesday night that her client wants the FBI to investigate her claims before she’d testify.
The Justice Department made a statement on Monday saying that the FBI does not have a role in that because it would not involve a federal crime.
Mr. Grassley reaffirmed that the committee is open to hearing Ms. Ford’s account “any format she’s comfortable [with.]”
We’re going to continue to try to hear from Dr. Ford in any format she’s comfortable w open session/closed session/private staff interviews/public staff interviews bc her information is very important. We’ve provided an opportunity for her to put her story fwd on Monday 2/4
— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) September 19, 2018
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.
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