Trump agrees to Flake’s request for FBI probe before full Senate vote
Sep 28, 2018, 1:04 PM | Updated: 2:35 pm
Senate Republican leaders and President Donald Trump on Friday agreed to Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake’s request to delay a final vote on Brett Kavanaugh to allow time for an investigation by the FBI into sexual misconduct allegations against the Supreme Court nominee.
In a statement, Trump said that the updated investigation “must be limited in scope” and “completed in less than one week.”
The committee had said it would ask that the probe be limited to “current credible allegations against the nominee.” It also said that investigation should be completed no later than Oct. 5.
Only Trump could order the FBI to open the investigation.
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After Flake made his request, the Judiciary Committee sent Kavanaugh’s nomination to the full Senate in an 11-10 vote along party lines, with Flake joining his fellow Republicans.
Democrats for days have been demanding an FBI investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations against Kavanaugh, but Republicans had refused to seek one. That changed Friday when Flake said a background investigation should be conducted before a final Senate vote on the nominee.
It was the latest twist in two whirlwind days for the committee.
The voting came a day after an extraordinary and highly emotional hearing over Christine Blasey Ford’s allegations that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when they were teens.
Kavanaugh has repeatedly denied the allegations.
In a statement released by the White House, Kavanaugh said he’s been interviewed by the FBI during his confirmation process and conducted “background” calls with the Senate. He says he answered questions under oath Thursday “about every topic the Senators and their counsel asked me.”
“I’ve done everything they have requested and will continue to cooperate,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
