Trump says it 'would not be acceptable' if Kavanaugh lied to Congress


President Trump seems to have drawn a red line on Brett Kavanaugh.
While speaking to reporters Tuesday afternoon, Trump reiterated his support for his embattled Supreme Court pick, saying Kavanaugh's nomination is going "very well." But Trump made one thing clear: If Kavanaugh lied to Congress during his Senate hearing, this "would not be acceptable," per CNN. Kavanaugh made a wide range of claims under oath last week, including that he has never sexually assaulted anyone. This came after Christine Blasey Ford testified that Kavanaugh forcibly groped her and attempted to rape her at a high school gathering. The FBI is investigating the claims against Kavanaugh and has until the end of the week to complete its probe.
Trump also said that "I don't think you should lie to Congress" though there "are a lot of people" over the past year who have done so. The president added that the Senate will hopefully vote on Kavanaugh by the end of the week, and although he hopes it will be a "positive" vote, what happens will be "dependent on what comes back from the FBI."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

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.
The president's comments Tuesday echo those made by Republican Sen. Jeff Flake (Ariz.), a key swing vote, over the weekend. Flake said in an interview that if the FBI finds that Kavanaugh lied to Congress, his nomination is over.
Watch Trump's remarks below. Brendan Morrow
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
The week’s best photos
In Pictures A palace on fire, a shopping cart protest, and more
-
The Week Unwrapped: Why is horse-racing going on strike?
Podcast Plus, will the South Korean women who worked in state-run brothels set up for US soldiers succeed? And what’s behind a surge in leg-lengthening surgery?
-
Sudoku medium: September 12, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to Trump
Speed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump
-
Supreme Court allows 'roving' race-tied ICE raids
Speed Read The court paused a federal judge's order barring agents from detaining suspected undocumented immigrants in LA based on race
-
South Korea to fetch workers detained in Georgia raid
Speed Read More than 300 South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant will be released
-
DC sues Trump to end Guard 'occupation'
Speed Read D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argues that the unsolicited military presence violates the law
-
RFK Jr. faces bipartisan heat in Senate hearing
Speed Read The health secretary defended his leadership amid CDC turmoil and deflected questions about the restricted availability of vaccines
-
White House defends boat strike as legal doubts mount
Speed Read Experts say there was no legal justification for killing 11 alleged drug-traffickers
-
Epstein accusers urge full file release, hint at own list
speed read A rally was organized by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who are hoping to force a vote on their Epstein Files Transparency Act
-
Court hands Harvard a win in Trump funding battle
Speed Read The Trump administration was ordered to restore Harvard's $2 billion in research grants