Baldwin: Ford Allegations ‘Credible,’ Kavanaugh Hearing Should Wait

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin says allegations that U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted a woman more than 30 years ago are “credible,” and she wants the Senate to pause its work on Kavanaugh’s nomination while the claim is investigated by the FBI.

Christine Blasey Ford alleges that when she and Kavanaugh were teenagers in high school, he sexually assaulted her at a party, holding her down, groping her, attempting to remove her clothes and putting his hand over her mouth when she tried to shout. Kavanaugh has denied the allegations.

Baldwin told reporters Thursday that senators need to know more about the allegations by Ford, a professor at Palo Alto University in California, before they vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination.

“I think that Dr. Ford has brought forth credible allegations, and I agree that it is appropriate to reopen the background investigation of Brett Kavanaugh and have the FBI finish the job that they started,” Baldwin said.

Republican U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, the chair of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, has scheduled a hearing for Monday to discuss the alleged incident, inviting both Kavanaugh and Ford to testify. Kavanaugh has accepted the invitation, but Ford’s lawyers have asked the FBI to investigate her charges before she testifies.

Baldwin said she supports that.

“I would call on Grassley to accept that very reasonable request from Dr. Ford’s lawyers and pause,” Baldwin said. “Let them finish the background investigation, and then continue.”

Baldwin’s stand comes less than two months before the November election. Her opponent, Republican state Sen. Leah Vukmir, said on WTAQ-AM radio in Green Bay that Ford’s allegations are “serious” but said Baldwin’s opposition to Kavanaugh showed her liberal bias.

“Yes, these are serious allegations, and I am glad that Republican leadership — the chair of the committee — has offered to have a hearing,” Vukmir said.

Vukmir said it was important for the committee to hear from both Kavanaugh and Ford.

“If indeed she is sincere about this, I would hope she would follow through,” Vukmir said.

The Senate Judiciary Committee can’t order the FBI to reopen its background check of Kavanaugh, although it could potentially ask for such an investigation.

President Donald Trump nominated Kavanaugh to fill the vacancy on the court created when Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement.