U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet tweeted his support for an investigation into embattled U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh shortly before President Donald Trump ordered a probe into the nominee’s background as it relates to sexual assault allegations.
“(I) appreciate effort by Sen. Jeff Flake, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Sen. Chris Coons and Sen. Joe Manchin to delay the vote and allow for an FBI investigation,” Bennet said. “This is one small but important step toward restoring our responsibility to advise and consent. The FBI must thoroughly investigate the allegations.”
Bennet said that there were multiple allegations, though he did not list Kavanaugh’s accusers’ names, including Deborah Ramirez of Boulder. In a statement released Thursday, he also called for an investigation to look into a “dispute” arising from Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony that she is 100 percent certain her attacker was Kavanaugh and Kavanaugh’s strong denial of the allegations.
Bennet backs investigation into Kavanaugh’s past
“A hearing is neither a trial nor an investigation,” Bennet said. “Before we vote on a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, the FBI should investigate the underlying facts of the dispute. If Leader (Mitch) McConnell can hold open a Supreme Court vacancy for more than 400 days, the FBI can surely spend the time required for a formal investigation.”
As of Friday night, Bennet had not issued any further statements about the investigation after it had been ordered. He also has not commented on an anonymous allegation from a fourth accuser, received Monday by U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner’s office.
During Friday’s committee confirmation hearing, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said he had been notified of the anonymous allegation by Gardner, though it had not been corroborated. He also discussed another letter alleging physical abuse by Kavanaugh that “was not true.” The allegation was not discussed by any senator during Ford or Kavanaugh’s testimony Thursday.
Bennet backs investigation into Kavanaugh’s past
Gardner was unavailable for comment after the president ordered an FBI investigation into Kavanaugh.
“Due to privacy regarding mail that comes into our office, we do not share the content of correspondence,” said Gardner’s press secretary, Casey Contres, in a Wednesday statement. “Additionally, this anonymous letter contained no name or no contact info so our office is unable to contact the individual that sent the anonymous letter.”
Emily Martin is a student at American University in Washington, D.C., and an intern for The Durango Herald.
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