It’s hard to believe that it hasn’t even been a week since a sexual misconduct allegation was levied against prospective Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh, but what a hectic week it has been. For those that haven’t had time to follow it all, here’s a timeline of the most relevant events you need to know:
July – Earlier this summer, Christine Blasey Ford wrote a confidential letter to Senator Dianne Feinstein, alleging that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her more than three decades ago.
September 16 – Christine Ford is revealed as Kavanaugh accuser publicly. Around this time, Ford deletes her social media history. Given she’s donated to over 60 left-wing activist groups, to Hillary’s 2016 campaign 10 times, and attended an anti-Trump rally sporting a “pussy-hat,” it’s likely that her page was packed with anti-Trump content.
September 17 – Ford’s lawyer Debra Katz appears on CNN to state that her client will testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Susan Collins, Bob Corker, Jeff Flake, Lindsey Graham, and Lisa Murkowski all call for Ford to testify before a vote.
Kavanaugh & Senate GOP:
—Collins: Accuser, Kavanaugh should testify under oath
—Corker: Hear from accuser before vote
—Flake: Hear from accuser before vote
—Graham: Accuser should be heard; proceed as scheduled
—Murkowski: Might need to consider vote delay
—NEW from Grassley👇 pic.twitter.com/tEsjlC3wlj— Fox News Research (@FoxNewsResearch) September 17, 2018
September 18 – The FBI says that they will not investigate the allegations, because they aren’t within their jurisdiction. An FBI investigation of such claims would only amount to collecting witness statements anyway, and every witness identified by Ford has denied the allegations.
Kamala Harris comes out in support of Ford’s request for an FBI hearing, which was denied before she even requested one. Nothing is preventing Ford from enlisting the help of the Maryland police (as the assault is alleged to have occurred in Maryland, which has no statute of limitations).
Two things are clear: the White House needs to direct the FBI to re-open the background check before the Kavanaugh hearing and it is imperative that we hear from the other witnesses. During the Anita Hill hearing, the Senate heard from 22 witnesses. pic.twitter.com/Fu4WKDkrpb
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) September 18, 2018
Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono appears on MSNBC to declare that inviting Ford to a hearing is itself a form of punishment.
Sen. @MazieHirono condemns the "callousness with which" Christine Blasey Ford was treated "by (Hirono's) colleagues" in the legislature after the professor came forward with allegations of sexual assault against SCOTUS nominee Brett Kavanaugh. pic.twitter.com/TMGJQfjftH
— CNN This Morning with Kasie Hunt (@CNNThisMorning) September 19, 2018
The New York Times falsely reports that Mark Judge, who was at the party, confirmed the sexual assault did occur. The Times quoted the exact opposite of what Judge had actually said and issued a correction.
September 19 – Ford decides she wants an FBI investigation before she’ll be willing to testify.
Chuck Grassley pens a letter to Debra Katz, giving her a Friday deadline to send in Ford’s prepared testimony. He also writes a separate letter to the Democrats on his committee excoriating them.
Learned Dr Ford’s identity from WaPo on Sunday Confidentiality no longer relevant As cmte investigators gather facts senators deserve opportunity 2read UNREDACTED letter given 2 Sen Feinstein on July 30 Havnt seen unredactd ltr myself! It’s not secret Release letter Sen Feinstein
— Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) September 19, 2018
This letter from Grassley to committee Dems is 🔥🔥🔥
Whatever you think of Ford's story, the Democrats could not have handled this any worse if they tried. pic.twitter.com/TAsUC4PPxf
— The Darkest Timeline Numbersmuncher (@NumbersMuncher) September 20, 2018
JUST IN: Chairman Grassley in letter to Dr. Ford's attorneys: "You have stated repeatedly that Dr. Ford wants to tell her story. I sincerely hope that Dr. Ford will accept my invitation to do so, either privately or publicly, on Monday." pic.twitter.com/OZ7Fo4JpKy
— NBC News (@NBCNews) September 19, 2018
On the same day, a former classmate of Ford named Cristina Miranda King claims to have had knowledge of the party where she was assaulted. However, there are major discrepancies in accounts. King claims the party was during a school year, while it occurred over the summer in Ford’s.
Furthermore, Ford claims to not have told a soul about the alleged assault until 2012, so it would’ve been impossible for King to know about it if it had indeed occurred. King deleted all her social media (which was littered with anti-Trump postings) after coming forward and is now refusing all media interviews.
Kristen Gillibrand appears on CNN to say that “Christine Blasey Ford must not participate in this sham [hearing].”
Diane Feinstein says she “doesn’t know if everything is truthful” regarding the allegations against Kavanaugh.
September 20 – King now says she isn’t sure if the assault she claimed to corroborate, actually happened.
A former classmate of Christine Blasey Ford tells NPR she doesn't know if an alleged sexual assault by Brett Kavanaugh took place as she first suggested on social media. https://t.co/g2ArVHDFgW
— NPR (@NPR) September 20, 2018
This entire timeline is summarized in just a few bullet points:
- Kavanaugh’s accuser comes forward
- Republicans give the accuser opportunity to be heard, granting her desire to testify
- FBI clarifies they can’t investigate these sorts of claims
- Accuser then immediately calls for an FBI investigation she knows cannot occur
- Second accuser comes forward to corroborate Ford then immediately goes off the grid
- Democrats demonize any attempts from Republicans to have Ford testify, while simultaneously stressing the need for women to be heard
It almost looks like the strategy here for Democrats isn’t to get to the truth of a sexual misconduct allegation, but rather to delay the nomination of a conservative Supreme Court justice indefinitely. They want revenge for Merrick Garland – and we’re not going to give it to them.
