This was about as predictable as the sunrise.
Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who accused Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court, of sexual assault nearly three decades ago, has made a list of demands that show she is profoundly unserious about her claim.
Previously, Ford made her accusations in the form of a letter that was sent to her congresswoman and eventually got into the hands of Senator Dianne Feinstein. Sen. Feinstein sat on the letter for months, only releasing its contents just before Brett Kavanaugh was set to be confirmed by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Now, Feinstein and her Democratic colleagues are refusing to work with Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley on getting to the bottom of this case. Feinstein is refusing to participate in a testimony hearing scheduled for this Monday. (RELATED: Senator Dianne Feinstein Pushes Back on Hearing for Kavanaugh Accuser Christine Ford.)
Ford was initially willing to testify before the Committee, which her lawyer noted earlier this week. (RELATED: Kavanaugh Accuser Christine Ford Agrees to Republican Wishes – Will Testify Before Senate Judiciary Committee.) Then, Ford backed out, saying she was unwilling to testify, citing safety concerns. She joined with Democrats in demanding an FBI investigation, despite the Bureau already declining to get involved in the matter. (RELATED: Kavanaugh Accuser Christine Blasey Ford Wants FBI Investigation, Won’t Testify Before Congress.)
Now, Ford is once again open to testifying, but only under certain conditions. (RELATED: Kavanaugh Accuser Christine Blasey Ford May Testify Before Senate Judiciary Committee.)
If you thought Ford was undermining her case before by prevaricating on the issue, just wait until you see her demands. They’re perfectly Orwellian. Michael Del Moro of MSNBC reports:
Ford’s requests made by her attorney, per NBC News:
-Hearing Thurs. earliest
-Kavanaugh testifies first
-Kavanaugh not in room when she is
-no outside counsel for questioning
-subpoena Mark Judge
-no time limit on her opening stmt
-pool camera only
-movement plan for security— Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) September 21, 2018
This is ridiculous. The Senate Judiciary Committee should do everything to preserve Ford’s safety and make her feel comfortable. And, of course, Kavanaugh shouldn’t be in the same room as her testifying.
But to demand that Kavanaugh speak first is absurd. That’s now how our system of law works. By getting to confront your accuser, you get to answer their charges. This Twitter user makes a salient and literary point:
Making a defendant, let’s say a John Doe — or a Josef K. — stand trial for charges, the substance of which he has no idea, is the literal plot of The Trial by Franz Kafka.
Love,
From the girl who’s had “Kafkaesque” in her Twitter bio for half a decade https://t.co/6zRjNV5LQT— Tiana Lowe (@TianaTheFirst) September 21, 2018
Ford’s demands, which appear to be flexible, show that she isn’t being serious about this procedure. That she’s making demands on timing is also questionable. Why Thursday at the earliest? Why that date in particular?
No explanation is given. More and more, Ford’s actions show a mendacity is at work here. I expect we’ll find out more as we get closer to Ford’s demanded date for testimony.
