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.
-
Taking aim at Venezuela’s autocrat
Feature The Trump administration is ramping up military pressure on Nicolás Maduro. Is he a threat to the U.S.?
-
Comey indictment: Is the justice system broken?
Feature U.S. attorney Lindsey Halligan has indicted former FBI Director James Comey on charges of lying and obstructing Congress
-
Government shuts down amid partisan deadlock
Feature As Democrats and Republicans clash over health care and spending, the shutdown leaves 750,000 federal workers in limbo
-
Judge bars Trump’s National Guard moves in Oregon
Speed Read In an emergency hearing, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from sending National Guard troops into Portland
-
Museum head ousted after Trump sword gift denial
Speed Read Todd Arrington, who led the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, denied the Trump administration a sword from the collection as a gift for King Charles
-
Trump declares ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels
speed read This provides a legal justification for recent lethal military strikes on three alleged drug trafficking boats
-
Supreme Court rules for Fed’s Cook in Trump feud
Speed Read Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook can remain in her role following Trump’s attempts to oust her
-
Judge rules Trump illegally targeted Gaza protesters
Speed Read The Trump administration’s push to arrest and deport international students for supporting Palestine is deemed illegal
-
Trump: US cities should be military ‘training grounds’
Speed Read In a hastily assembled summit, Trump said he wants the military to fight the ‘enemy within’ the US
-
US government shuts down amid health care standoff
Speed Read Democrats said they won’t vote for a deal that doesn’t renew Affordable Care Act health care subsidies
-
YouTube to pay Trump $22M over Jan. 6 expulsion
Speed Read The president accused the company of censorship following the suspension of accounts post-Capitol riot