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."
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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
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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.
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