Accuser of Trump’s Supreme Court nominee to testify on Thursday

The letter was made public on Sunday moments after the Judiciary Committee announced that Kavanaugh’s accuser, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, would testify about her claim on Thursday.

The White House also sent a statement, supporting Kavanaugh. Ford alleges that at a 1982 house party, Kavanaugh, then 17 and “stumbling drunk”, pinned her to a bed and groped her, leaving her fearful for her life before she escaped. Any wonder why she had doubts about coming forward?

“Now I feel like my civic responsibility is outweighing my anguish and terror about retaliation”, she told the Washington Post in a coming-out story last week, placing herself squarely at the epicentre of a political quake that has made her a household name. I hope you understand. “It’s not my normal approach to b indecisive”, Grassley wrote.

In an email to judiciary committee staff, Ford’s lawyer Debra Katz called the deadline “aggressive and artificial”. Of those people who have spoken to her, all describe her as being credible, professional and an upright citizen.

Though Kavanaugh has found support in the wake of Ford’s allegations from some Republican lawmakers and other allies, the allegations have resulted in an outpouring of support for Ford from activist organizations, sexual assault survivors and other women and supporters. “Just remember, this Senate Judiciary Committee, the composition is 11 Republicans, 10 Democrats”. “But she should come forward”. The magazine says she described the incident in an interview after being contacted by the magazine. Unfortunately for Ford’s story, Keyser released a statement saying that she’s never met Kavanaugh and, like everyone else listed as party attendees, has no recollection of any such party. This claim is denied by all who were said to be present and is wholly inconsistent with what many women and men who knew Judge Kavanaugh at the time in college say.

After a brief display of uncharacteristic restraint, the US president was back at it Friday. In a tweet aimed at Mr Kavanaugh shortly before midnight, Mr Grassley said he was giving them additional time. “So I thought that the president’s tweet was completely inappropriate and wrong”.

Even before her lawyer announced on Sunday afternoon that she would appear, Republican senators – who briefly made a show of taking her seriously – were admitting that there was virtually no chance she would change their minds. On Twitter, the hashtag #WhyIDidntReport trended among women – and men – who explained why they didn’t report instances of assault from years or decades ago.

Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand called Friday’s comments a “vile attack”. Chris Coons, D-Del. He said she “should be treated with the respect she deserves”.

Just as he did several weeks ago to prepare for his confirmation hearings for the Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh was back inside a room at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building – again facing questioners readying him for a high-stakes appearance in the Senate.

As Republicans were considering their next move in private talks Saturday, fresh divisions were emerging between those who have advocated confirmation and other GOP senators who have expressed his interest in hearing Ford’s story before voting.

Democrats are calling for the FBI to investigate the sexual assault allegation against the Supreme Court nominee.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, speaking at a gathering of evangelical voters in Washington, assured them Kavanaugh would be confirmed.

How Kavanaugh weathers the storm – and if enough Senate Republicans stand by him – will help determine the ideological balance of the Supreme Court for a generation.

The moment during Donald Trump’s presidential campaign when he issued a list of potential Supreme Court nominees prescreened by conservative ideologues guaranteed the extreme politicization we are witnessing.