Sen. Leahy: FBI Should Investigate Claims Against Kavanaugh

The FBI should investigate claims made by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and others accusing Supreme Court nominee of sexual assault in order to make the inquiry "truly credible," Sen. Patrick Leahy insisted during Ford's testimony.

"It is what we have always done," the Vermont Democrat said during the morning Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. "The easy way to ask the FBI to investigate. It is what we have always done. Investigate, report back to us."

Leahy pointed out to committee Chairman Chuck Grassley that they were both in the Senate 27 years ago during Justice Clarence Thomas' hearings, when the "Senate failed Anita Hill."

"Dr. Ford, no matter what happens with this hearing today, no matter what happens to this nomination, I know that I hear from so many of my own, there are millions of victims and survivors out there who have been inspired by your courage," Leahy said.

"I am. Bravery is contagious. And that is the driving force behind the #metoo movement. You share your story, that is going to have a lasting positive impact on so many survivors in our country."

Both Ford and Kavanaugh are being cross-examined by Arizona prosecutor Rachel Mitchell, who was brought in to question them. However, unlike a traditional trial, Mitchell's questioning is being interrupted every five minutes so senators on the committee can ask questions. Leahy was the first to talk.

He told Ford that some senators have suggested she is confused about who attacked her, but she insisted she is not.

"The person that was blamed for the incident is actually the person who introduced me to them originally," she said. "I don't want to talk about him because I think it's unfair, but he is the person that introduced me to them [Kavanaugh and friend Mark Judge]."

She also told Leahy that what she remembers most about the night she says Kavanaugh attacked her was the "uproarious laughter" between Judge and Kavanaugh while they were in the bedroom with her.

"They were laughing with each other," she said. "I was underneath one of them while the two laughed. Two friends having a really good time with one another."

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