Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles E. Grassley said Thursday there wasn’t a “whiff of any issue” related to inappropriate sexual behavior in any of Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s previous six FBI background checks.
Kicking off the hearing for Christine Blasey Ford to tell lawmakers her claim of sexual assault by the Supreme Court nominee, Mr. Grassley said Judge Kavanaugh has had six FBI field investigations since 1993 when he first entered public service 25 years ago.
“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,” the Iowa Republican said.
He dismissed calls for an FBI investigation into Ms. Blasey Ford’s accusation that Judge Kavanaugh tried to force himself on her 36 years ago while the two were in high school, which have been repeated by Democrats on the committee since Ms. Blasey Ford came forward earlier this month.
“Contrary to what the public has been led to believe, the FBI doesn’t perform any credibility assessment or verify the truth of any event in these background investigations,” Mr. Grassley said.
“The FBI provided us with the allegations. Now it’s up to the Senate to assess their credibility. Which brings us to today,” he added.
He also took a swipe at Democrats on the committee for not participating in follow up interviews with Judge Kavanaugh once Ms. Blasey Ford came forward with her allegation.
“If they’re really concerned with getting to the truth, why wouldn’t you want to talk to the accused?” he questioned.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.