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."
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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.
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