Speed Reads

Sunday shows

GOP Sen. Jeff Flake says Kavanaugh struck him as 'raw' but right if he's 'unjustly accused'

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) on CBS

Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's testimony gave the impression of someone who was rightfully angry, Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) said in a preview released Sunday of a 60 Minutes appearance he made with Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.). Flake, who is not seeking re-election, was instrumental in ensuring there would be a week-long FBI investigation, beginning this past Friday, into the sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh.

"To see his family behind him, as Chris said, it was anger — but if I were unjustly accused, that's how I would feel as well," Flake said. "As it went on, I think his interaction with some of the members was a little too sharp. But the statement in the beginning I thought was pretty raw, but in keeping with someone who had been unjustly accused."

Coons had a different impression. "[Kavanaugh] was clearly belligerent, aggressive, angry," he said. "And I thought there was a tough dynamic there. As I watched him, part of me thought, 'This is a man who believes that he did nothing wrong, and he's completely unjustly accused. And he's being railroaded. And he's furious about it.'"

Both senators condemned the partisanship in Kavanaugh's self-defense, though Flake was willing to allow him "a little leeway."

Watch a preview of the 60 Minutes interview below. The full interview airs at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Sunday on CBS. Bonnie Kristian