The FBI reportedly spoke to 9 people for its Kavanaugh investigation — but not Kavanaugh or Ford
As lawmakers prepare to review the FBI's background investigation into Brett Kavanaugh, we're beginning to learn more about its scope.
The New York Times reports that the FBI contacted a total of 10 people and ended up interviewing nine. It's not clear why the tenth person was not interviewed. The Times also reports that the investigation did not "go out of its way to pursue broader questions" about Kavanaugh's drinking habits. Some of Kavanaugh's former classmates have accused him of lying under oath about his drinking in college and high school.
The FBI investigation reportedly focused specifically on the allegations from Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Kavanaugh of groping her and attempting to rape her in high school, and Deborah Ramirez, who accused Kavanaugh of exposing himself to her at a college party. Kavanaugh has denied both allegations, and the White House feels confident that the FBI found "no corroboration."
Subscribe to 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.
Although Ramirez was interviewed as part of the investigation, Ford was not, nor was Kavanaugh, the Times confirms. Bloomberg reported Wednesday that the FBI didn't have clear authority from the White House to speak with either of them. The New Yorker also reports that some of Kavanaugh's former classmates were ready to speak to the FBI but were ignored. Ramirez told The New Yorker, "I feel like I'm being silenced." Read more at The New York Times.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Should Sonia Sotomayor retire from the Supreme Court?
Talking Points Democrats worry about repeating the history of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
China tries to bury deadly car attack
Speed Read An SUV drove into a crowd of people in Zhuhai, killing and injuring dozens — but news of the attack has been censored
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Senate GOP selects Thune, House GOP keeps Johnson
Speed Read John Thune will replace Mitch McConnell as Senate majority leader, and Mike Johnson will remain House speaker in Congress
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
China tries to bury deadly car attack
Speed Read An SUV drove into a crowd of people in Zhuhai, killing and injuring dozens — but news of the attack has been censored
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Menendez brothers may go free in LA prosecutor plan
Speed Read Prosecutors are asking for the brothers to be resentenced for the 1989 murder of their parents
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Abercrombie ex-CEO charged with sex crimes
Speed Read Mike Jeffries ran the brand during its heyday from 1992 to 2014
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump criminal trial starts with rulings, reminder
Speed Read The first day of his historic trial over hush money payments was mostly focused on jury selection
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Parents of school shooter sentenced to 10-15 years
Speed Read Jennifer and James Crumbley are the first parents to be convicted in a US mass shooting
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Unlicensed dealers and black market guns
Speed Read 68,000 illegally trafficked guns were sold in a five year period, said ATF
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bankman-Fried gets 25 years for fraud
Speed Read Former "crypto king" Sam Bankman-Fried will report to federal prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Feds raid Diddy homes in alleged sex trafficking case
Speed Read Homeland Security raided the properties of hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published