Christine Blasey Ford testified at Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing Thursday. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, says he believes Ford, who has accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault while in high school.
Blumenthal praised Ford for her bravery in coming forward.
“Well, you have given America an amazing teaching moment, and you may have others in the classroom, but you have inspired and you have enlightened America.”
He called out President Donald Trump for not launching an FBI investigation into Kavanaugh as requested by Ford.
“His failure to ask for an FBI investigation, in my view, is tantamount to a cover-up.”
Republicans have accused Ford of political motivations. She says she is no one’s pawn.
Things grew testy, however, during Judge Kavanaugh's testimony.
Blumenthal brought up a reference in Kavanaugh’s high school yearbook that implied the sexual conquest of a female student.
Kavanaugh replied that it “really does great harm to her. I don’t know why you’re bringing this up. Frankly, you’re doing great harm to her bringing her name up here is really unfortunate.”
“Well, calling someone an alumnus in that way will imply…”
“implying what you are implying…”
“...by a number of your football friends at the time as boasting of sexual conquest. That’s the reason that I’m bringing it up.”
“It’s false, you’re implying that...Look what you are bringing up about her. Look what you’re doing.”
“Mr. Chairman, I would request that this is not subtracted from my time.”
“Don’t bring her name up!”
Blumenthal says Kavanaugh's testimony "had key gaps in substance and credibility," and his frequent, angry outbursts "raised questions about his temperament."
