President Donald Trump has denied reports that the White House is working to limit the scope of FBI investigation of Brett Kavanaugh
President Donald Trump has denied reports that the White House is working to limit the scope of FBI investigation of Brett Kavanaugh after insiders claimed the agency had been restricted to a hand-picked list of interviewees.
Shortly after he spoke in support of his Supreme Court nominee at a rally in West Virginia, Trump tweeted: 'NBC News incorrectly reported (as usual) that I was limiting the FBI investigation of Judge Kavanaugh, and witnesses, only to certain people.
'Actually, I want them to interview whoever they deem appropriate, at their discretion. Please correct your reporting!'
Earlier on Saturday, sources with knowledge of the investigation - speaking to NBC on the condition of anonymity - said that the White House counsel's office had provided FBI investigators with a list of witnesses they are permitted to interview as part of the week-long probe.
Those sources claimed that the White House has instructed FBI agents to look exclusively at claims made by Christine Blasey Ford and Deborah Ramirez, but not those by a third accuser Julie Swetnick.
Trump tweeted on Saturday evening: 'NBC News incorrectly reported (as usual) that I was limiting the FBI investigation of Judge Kavanaugh, and witnesses, only to certain people. 'Actually, I want them to interview whoever they deem appropriate, at their discretion. Please correct your reporting!'
Trump said he expects the FBI probe to work in Kavanaugh's favor, adding that he hasn't come up with a backup plan concerning the nomination because he believes he won't need one
Insiders say the White House has instructed FBI agents to limit the Kavanaugh probe to allegations made by Christine Blasey Ford, who testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee this week (left), and a second accuser, Deborah Ramirez (right)
A lawyer for Ramirez confirmed Saturday that his client - who alleges that Kavanaugh exposed his penis to her during a drunken party at a Yale University dormitory when they were undergraduates - will cooperate fully with FBI agents.
'We can confirm the FBI has reached out to interview Ms. Ramirez and she has agreed to cooperate with their investigation,' attorney John Clune said in a tweet.
'Out of respect for the integrity of the process, we will have no further comment at this time.'
Meanwhile, Swetnick's lawyer Michael Avenatti demanded that his client's allegations be included in the probe.
On Saturday Avenatti tweeted: 'We have yet to hear from the FBI. When and if we do, we will promptly disclose to them all information and witnesses in our possession.
'We continue to request this opportunity as we have been doing for days. My client is telling the truth and deserves to be heard and not shammed.'
In a sworn declaration to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Swetnick said she had seen Kavanaugh at 'well over 10 house parties' in the early 1980s when he was a student at Georgetown Preparatory, and that on numerous occasions he would 'drink excessively and engage in highly inappropriate conduct,' including 'fondling and grabbing of girls without their consent'.
Kavanaugh has staunchly denied allegations from Ford, Ramirez and Swetnick.
The FBI has reportedly been instructed not to investigate sexual misconduct allegations from a third woman, Julie Swetnick (left), who claims to have witnessed Kavanaugh intoxicated and behaving inappropriately toward women at several high school parties in the 80s. Her lawyer Michael Avenatti (right) maintains she is telling the truth
Avenatti reacted to reports that his client had been excluded from the FBI probe in a string of tweets Saturday
Speaking to reporters on the White House lawn on Saturday, Trump expressed confidence in his nominee and in the investigative process.
'I would expect it's going to turn out very well for the judge,' he said just before departing for the West Virginia rally. 'There's never been anybody that's been looked at like Judge Kavanaugh.'
The president added that he hasn't come up with a backup plan concerning the nomination because he believes he won't need one.
Amid reports of the White House tightening the reins on the investigation, Trump said: 'The FBI I believe is doing a really great job.
'They have been all over already. They have free rein. They're going to do whatever they have to do, whatever it is they do.
'They'll be doing things that we've never even thought of, and hopefully at the conclusion everything will be fine.'
Trump also said the probe could end up being a 'blessing in disguise' if the allegations are revealed to be a plot hatched by the Democrats, as many Republicans have speculated.
Trump expressed confidence in his nominee and in the investigative process on Saturday before heading to a rally in West Virginia, saying of the probe: 'I would expect it's going to turn out very well for the judge'
Sources within the White House have expressed concern that such tight restrictions could hinder the bureau's ability to fully investigate the allegations.
The limited scope also appears to conflict with what lawmakers were expecting when they voted to allow the FBI up to a week to perform the probe.
Sen Jeff Flake, the Arizona Republican who led an 11th-hour request for an FBI inquiry, said he thought the bureau would be tasked with how to carry it out.
Sen Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat from Rhode Island, also said he expected FBI investigators to work diligently and independently with significant backing from the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Trump administration.
The FBI probe into allegations against Kavanaugh is not a criminal investigation, but rather an expansion on the federal judge's background check, and will thus not involve search warrants or subpoenas.
Deborah Ramirez' attorney John Clune tweeted Saturday: 'We can confirm the FBI has reached out to interview Ms. Ramirez and she has agreed to cooperate with their investigation'
Within the FBI, such investigations are known as 'special presidential inquiries', and they typically consist of voluntary interviews of the primary subject and any relevant potential witnesses.
In this case, Trump was forced to order the one-week investigation, which was highly sought by Senate Democrats, after Sen Flake announced he would not back a full Senate vote to confirm Kavanaugh until the probe took place.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said on Friday night that the expanded background investigation will be limited to 'current credible allegations' against Kavanaugh.
Mark Judge, whom Ford claims was in the room and participated in the alleged attack, will likely be considered a key interview subject by the FBI.
Judge has denied any knowledge of Ford's allegations, and has said he is willing to speak to the FBI for their probe.
It's been speculated that agents may also speak with two men who contacted the Judiciary Committee independent of each other claiming that they were the person who attacked Ford in 1982.
However, those men had reportedly not yet been contacted as of Saturday afternoon.
Republicans revealed that they had conducted interviews with the men on the eve of Thursday's blockbuster hearing, but did not bring up their claims in the hearing, a likely signal that they did not find the men credible.
Mark Judge (left) and Kavanaugh are seen together in high school. Ford claims they were together during the alleged attack, which both men strongly deny
Trump was forced to order the one-week investigation, which was highly sought by Senate Democrats, after Arizona Republican Senator Jeff Flake (center) announced he would not back a full Senate vote to confirm Kavanaugh until the probe took place
Although a week may not seem like much time for the investigation, experts believe the probe's limited scope will allow the FBI to complete its work within the deadline.
Taking the lead for the White House during the investigation is counsel Don McGahn, who has shepherded Kavanaugh's nomination since President Trump announced it on July 9.
An official briefed on the matter told NBC its not unusual for the White House to set the parameters of an FBI background check for a presidential nominee.
The FBI has had no choice but to agree to the administration's terms, sources said, because it is conducting the background investigation on behalf of the White House.
Donald Trump appeared to belittle the investigation just hours after ordering it, tweeting Friday evening: 'Just started, tonight, our 7th FBI investigation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh. He will someday be recognized as a truly great Justice of The United States Supreme Court!'
In just a few days, Trump has jumped between calling the sexual assault allegations a 'con job', Ford a 'credible witness', and on Friday night emphasizing that this is the 7th FBI investigation of Kavanaugh and insisting he will be the next Justice of the Supreme Court.
How the FBI will conduct its one-week investigation into allegations against Kavanaugh
President Donald Trump on Friday ordered the FBI to complete a one-week investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
Hours later Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley clarified that the expanded background investigation will be limited to 'current credible allegations' against the federal judge.
At the center of the probe is Christine Blasey Ford, who claims Kavanaugh attempted to rape her when they were both in high school, which he strenuously denies.
The FBI has reportedly also reached out to a second accuser, Deborah Ramirez, who claims Kavanaugh exposed his penis to her during a drunken party at a Yale University dormitory, when they were undergraduates.
The probe into the allegations is not a criminal investigation, but rather an expansion on Kavanaugh's background check, and will thus not involve search warrants or subpoenas.
Within the FBI, such investigations are known as 'special presidential inquiries', and they typically consist of voluntary interviews of the primary subject and any relevant potential witnesses.
In this case, Trump was forced to order the one-week investigation, which was highly sought by Senate Democrats, after Republican Senator Jeff Flake announced he would not back a full Senate vote to confirm Kavanaugh until the probe took place.
The FBI has one week to complete an investigation into sexual misconduct claims against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh (pictured)
The work will begin with the assignment of a 'case agent', likely in the Washington Field Office. Given the highly politicized nature of the probe, the task is likely to be considered an unpleasant one for whomever draws the assignment.
The case agent will start by generating a list of leads for potential interviewees, and send the list out to field offices close to the homes of the the various interview subjects.
The interviews could take place at the person's home, the FBI field office, or even a coffee shop, experts say.
Mark Judge, whom Ford claims was in the room and participated in the alleged attack, will likely be considered a key interview subject by the FBI.
Judge has denied any knowledge of Ford's allegations, and has said he is willing to speak to the FBI for their probe.
Agents may also want to speak with two men who contacted the Judiciary Committee independent of each other claiming that they were the person who attacked Ford in 1982.
Republicans revealed that they had conducted interviews with the men on the eve of Thursday's blockbuster hearing, but did not bring up their claims in the hearing, a likely signal that they did not find the men credible.
As well, Ford named two other individuals who she says were present in the house in suburban Maryland. Both have said they don't recall any such gathering, but the FBI will likely seek further information in interviews with them.
From the interviews, FBI agents will generate what are known as 302s, named after the form used.
The 302s will contain summaries of what each interview subject told the FBI agent who interviewed them. They will not include any analysis or conclusions about the veracity of the person's statements - although lying to the FBI is a crime.
In addition to the interviews, agents could attempt to seek documents and records that might corroborate Ford's allegation or Kavanaugh's denial.
Ford said in her testimony that she saw Judge several weeks after the alleged attack working at a Safeway, so the agency by try to get employment records from Judge or the supermarket chain.
They could also ask the Columbia Country Club, where Ford says she swam on the day of the alleged attack, if any visitor logs still exist from the summer of 1982.
The agents could also review the calendars that Kavanaugh submitted to the Judiciary Committee to see if there are other interview subjects listed in them who might provide further information.
Since Ford is unable to specify where she alleges the attack took place, FBI agents may also examine housing records to determine where individuals connected to the allegation lived at the time, and whether floor plans of those houses match her description.
'It's unlikely that there's any physical evidence remaining from a sexual assault attempt that may or may not have happened over 30 years ago,' Barbara McQuade, a University of Michigan Law professor and former US attorney, told Slate.
'Although it's been suggested that Judge Kavanaugh should submit to a polygraph test, I think that would be highly unlikely and highly unusual. Polygraphs are used to assess the credibility of witnesses and defendants, but to ask him to do that strikes me as something they probably won't do.'
The 302s and any other evidence gathered will be delivered to the White House no later than Thursday, and transmitted from there to the Judiciary Committee.
Trump has expressed confidence that nothing revealed in the investigation will impact Kavanaugh's nomination.
'He will someday be recognized as a truly great Justice of The United States Supreme Court!' Trump tweeted on Friday night.
The confirmation vote could be scheduled on Friday, over the weekend, or sometime over the week of October 7.
'This is a nomination that deserves to move forward - and that is precisely what is happening,' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, said on the Senate floor on Friday. 'Now we will keep the process moving.'
Reporting by Keith Griffith for DailyMail.com
Link hienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2018/09/30/trump-denies-the-white-house-has-limited-the-scope-of-the-fbi-kavanaugh-investigation/
Main photo article
President Donald Trump has denied reports that the White House is working to limit the scope of FBI investigation of Brett Kavanaugh
President Donald Trump has denied reports that the White House is working to limit the scope of FBI investigation of Brett Kavanaugh after insiders claimed...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves US News HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1/2018/09/30/04/4640584-6222709-The_President_spent_a_great_deal_of_time_slamming_the_Democrats_-m-62_1538277536553.jpg
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий