Judiciary Committee Democrats: Missing Witnesses, Constraints Undermine FBI’s Kavanaugh Investigation

            Washington—All 10 Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee today released the following joint statement on the FBI’s supplemental investigation of sexual assault allegations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh:

            “The documents delivered by the FBI suggest this investigation was controlled and directed by the White House.

            “It is impossible to take this investigation seriously when so many key witnesses—including Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Ford themselves—were not interviewed and constraints appear to have been imposed on what was asked and who was spoken to. Lawyers for Dr. Ford and Deborah Ramirez indicated they submitted witness lists, but those individuals were not contacted.

            “Republicans have already declared there wasn’t a ‘hint’ of misconduct. But based on our briefing and review of the documents, despite the obvious restrictions that were placed on the investigation, that is not true. In addition, we already had serious concerns about Judge Kavanaugh’s truthfulness, and nothing in this investigation assuaged those concerns.

            “This investigation does a disservice to Dr. Ford, who gave such powerful and credible testimony, other sexual assault survivors including Deborah Ramirez, and the American public who expected the FBI would be permitted to conduct a genuine fact-finding investigation.”