Massachusetts' GOP governor decries 'sickening' Kavanaugh allegations, demands Senate not vote to confirm him

As Republicans attempt to push embattled Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh through to confirmation, one GOP head of state is speaking out.

Just as Christine Blasey Ford prepared to testify Thursday about her allegation that Kavanaugh groped and attempted to rape her in high school, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) tweeted that the accusations brought against Kavanaugh are "sickening" and that they "deserve an independent investigation." Two women in addition to Ford have publicly accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct; he has denied all allegations.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled a vote on Kavanaugh's nomination for Friday morning. But in light of the allegations, Baker tweeted that there "should be no vote in the Senate" until the matter can be investigated.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have demanded the FBI investigate the allegations against Kavanaugh prior to a vote, but few Republicans have done so. In addition to Baker, Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) also called for an FBI investigation into Kavanaugh in an interview with The Hill on Wednesday, asking, "What in the world difference would 10 days make?"

If Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee indeed hold a vote on Kavanaugh on Friday, and he is confirmed, his nomination will advance to the full Senate for a vote.