Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh is probably pounding back the beer this morning after new details about the FBI’s investigation into sexual assault allegations made against him by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford in 2018 have been released.
The FBI just disclosed that it received over 4,500 tips–yes, 4,500!–on a phone line back in 2018 as part of its background check into the then-Supreme Court nominee, but it only sent the ones it deemed “relevant” to ex-President Donald Trump‘s White House counsel. Now, Democrats are asking for more information.
CNN reports:
The exact number of tips was disclosed in a June 30 letter released by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse on Thursday. The letter was in response to a two-year-old request from Senate Democrats seeking more information about the handling of the investigation.
The revelation reignited fierce accusations from liberals who say that the FBI and the Trump White House did not sufficiently examine allegations against Kavanaugh in the wake of accusations from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford that he had sexually assaulted her at a party in the Maryland suburbs when they were both in high school.
Kavanaugh’s nomination marked the first time in history that an FBI tip line had to be set up for receiving information during a Senate confirmation inquiry.
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After Ford went public with her accusations, investigators spoke to just 10 people before concluding that the allegations had no merit. Neither she nor Kavanaugh were ever interviewed as part of the investigation, leading many people to call the whole thing a farce.
In the wake of this new information, Ford’s lawyers are once against calling it “a sham and major institutional failure.”
“Not only did the FBI refuse to interview Dr. Ford or the corroborators listed in our letter to FBI Director Wray, it failed to act on the over 4,500 tips it received about then-nominee Kavanaugh,” her attorneys said. “Instead, it handed the information over to the White House, allowing those who supported Kavanaugh to falsely claim that the FBI found no wrongdoing.”
Meanwhile, Democrats say the new information “raises significant additional questions” and are calling on the FBI to explain, among other things, exactly how many tips the FBI decided were “relevant” and what criteria they used to make that determination, as well as how they vetted the tips, who was in charge of monitoring the tip line, and whether the tips were recorded or preserved.
But it doesn’t stop there.
The new information has also reignited questions about who paid off the hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt Kavanaugh owed right before he was nominated by Donald Trump to the Supreme Court.
In 2018, Mother Jones reported:
Before President Donald Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, he had a lot of debt. In May 2017, he reported owing between $60,004 and $200,000 on three credit cards and a loan against his retirement account. By the time Trump nominated him to the high court in July 2018, those debts had vanished. Overall, his reported income and assets didn’t seem sufficient to pay off all that debt while maintaining his upper-class lifestyle: an expensive house in an exclusive suburban neighborhood, two kids in a $10,500-a-year private school, and a membership in a posh country club reported to charge $92,000 in initiation fees. His financial disclosure forms have raised more questions than they’ve answered, leading to speculation about whether he’s had a private benefactor and what sorts of conflicts that relationship might entail.
All of this comes less than two weeks after reports that Trump himself slammed the SCOTUS Justice, who believes employers should be able to fire people for being LGBTQ, while speaking to journalist Michael Wolff.
According to Wolff’s book “Landslide: The Final Days of the Trump Presidency,” Trump told him he was “disappointed” in Kavanaugh, adding, “There were so many others I could have appointed, and everyone wanted me to.”
“Where would he be without me?” Trump said, according to the book. “I saved his life. He wouldn’t even be in a law firm. Who would have had him? Nobody. Totally disgraced. Only I saved him.”
Here’s what folx on Twitter are saying about the latest Kavanaugh drama…
Today would be a good day to re-open the Kavanaugh investigation.
It would also be a good day to ask Wray if he’d like to clarify his comments about the investigation being “consistent with the standard process.”
— Angry Staffer (@Angry_Staffer) July 23, 2021
Today’s news that the FBI turned some of the 4500(!) tips about Kavanaugh over to the WH puts Trump’s comments that he ‘Saved his life’ in a new light doesn’t it?
— NoelCaslerComedy (@CaslerNoel) July 22, 2021
FBI said some of the 4,500 tips it received about Justice Brett Kavanaugh during investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against him were given to Trump White House…
4500 sexual misconduct tips..4500 tips..4500..four thousand five hundred tips…— Buddy Winston (@BuddyWinston) July 22, 2021
Who paid off Kavanaugh's considerable debt?
— Amy Siskind ???? (@Amy_Siskind) July 23, 2021
There are credible allegations of sexual assault against a Supreme Court Justice. Now there is proof the WH actively blocked an investigation of those allegations. The new DOJ must investigate for anyone to have any trust in our system of Justice. Otherwise it’s a bad joke
— Joe Lockhart (@joelockhart) July 23, 2021
Anyone with Brett Kavanaugh’s profile would fail a standard background check for a Federal security clearance.
Large debts mysteriously paid? 4500 tips to FBI? Zero chance that would fly. And yet the Trump White House waved him through.
— Tristan Snell (@TristanSnell) July 22, 2021
FACT: Brett Kavanaugh's adrenal glands are workin' overtime right now.#Coverup #IBelieveChristineBlaseyFord
— Dr. Jack Brown (@DrGJackBrown) July 22, 2021
So, another quick question: Who paid off Brett Kavanaugh’s debts? Isn’t this rather an important question?
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 23, 2021
The FBI received more than 4,500 tips during its background investigation of Brett Kavanaugh
4500 tips on sexual assault allegations
4500
Supreme Court Injustice
— TheSadTruth? (@ReportsDaNews) July 23, 2021
Brett Kavanaugh doesn’t belong in the Supreme Court.
Pass it on.
— Perikalt ? (@perikalt) July 23, 2021
Graham Gremore is the Features Editor and a Staff Writer at Queerty. Follow him on Twitter @grahamgremore.
Liquid Silver
Yes, I’m sure they’ll get right on that. Just like with Clarence Thomas.
Seriously, I get this place likes fluff, but could we get something other than Outrage Du Jour? This is going nowhere; he’s already seated. We haven’t impeached a Justice since Chase in 1805, back when we had a tiny bit of sense remaining. It ain’t gonna happen in today’s environment and most Republicans probably think he’s a dude for doin’ that crap.
Cam
Well Well Well,
After being exposed on multiple other threads always trying to say that Republicans will not be held responsible, the same right wing troll account comes on here, pretends to be concerned and posts the exact same crap.
Your troll game is still sad and weak.
Dick Gozinia
I agree with Liquid Silver. I’m a lifelong Democrat who did not support Kavanaugh’s appointment, but he is here to stay.
Cam
@Dick Gozinia
Thanks for exposing one of your new Troll names.
I’m a Democrat but……..
That’s one of your favorite tactics sweetie.
Heywood Jablowme
@Cam/Sybil: It’s a fact that in the entire history of the country, only one Supreme Court justice has ever been impeached. And he was not convicted. Nobody here is saying impeachment of Kavanaugh is unwarranted, just that it is extremely unlikely to succeed. (Same with Trump, unfortunately, twice.)
So why do YOU believe that a 50-50 Senate might scrounge up 17 Republican votes to convict Kavanaugh? – to be replaced by a Biden appointee? Or do you really believe that at all? You’re here to “make liberals look bad” – probably for pay – and that’s becoming increasingly evident.
Queerty may have “stolen” your screen name just to have some fun with you!
Cam
@Heywood Jablowme
Interesting how you seem to know EXACTLY what the other person on this thread meant.
Ohhhhh right, because you’ve already been exposed multiple times as just another one of the screenames for the one right wing troll.
Heywood Jablowme
@Sybil: um, I knew what he meant because he explained it fairly well, and it was a simple concept to begin with, and one that’s being discussed all over the media anyway.
Again, why do YOU think Kavanaugh can be convicted in the Senate, with 17 (!) Republican votes to convict him, especially considering that his replacement would be appointed by Biden?!? That’s insane. Pelosi and Schumer realize it’s impossible – we may see op-eds from them to that effect any day now – although they may still go ahead with impeachment if they think it’s politically wise. But they don’t seriously expect a conviction, so apparently they are right-wing trolls too according to you.
The troll stuff is crazy but the craziest thing is that you really believe there is only ONE troll using dozens & dozens of screen names. Nobody has time for juvenile pranks like that except you. Just because you do it doesn’t mean anyone else does it.
Ronbo
Cam, reign in those control issues. You aren’t God. Work on your own issues first and try to be reasonable with others.
Mister P
What’s so sad is that Kav is apparently the best candidate the Repugnants have to put forth.
Fahd
Good for highlighting institutional failure and last week’s news from Wolff’s book – seeall the stories on yahoo dot com last week. Kavahadenough is a shameless apparatchik who was integral in Bush the younger’s shenanigans. Also, there’s a special place in hell for Susan Collins for having supported him, even though the people of Maine were dumb enough to reelect her.
cuteguy
Simple solution: PACK THE COURT
But Dems are too weak and wimpy to do so. If the shoe was on the other foot, the GQP would pounce on this
Kangol2
The Democrats cannot just pack the court by fiat. The Senate would have to pass a bill, concordant with a House bill. They also could expand not just the Supreme Court but the rest of the federal appellate system. Both have happened before, but if you think the GOP is going to allow any such thing to happen, then I’ve got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. They’re filibustering and holding up all kinds of far less controversial legislation, and also talking about not supporting a debt ceiling increase, something that used to be uncontroversial, so I can assure you, they will fight court expansion to the marrow of their bones.
Openminded
If the Dems pack the court now, the Repubs will just pack it fuller the next time they get a chance, and if history shows us anything, the Repubs will get another chance someday. I’m not a fan of the current unbalance, but IMHO, it’s better unbalanced than to start a war of expanding the court every time the WH chances parties.
As far as Kavanaugh goes, 4,500 “tips” equals one assault every day for over 12 years. That’s a bit hard to believe. Not saying the guy isn’t guilty of at least some assaults, but 4,500 tips sounds like someone was packing the tip line with questionable tips. The disappearing debt does look mighty suspicious. Definitely enough smoke here to go looking for the fire. I have to wonder if he can be impeached for dirty deeds done before SCOTUS confirmation?
Cam
@Openminded
I see you brought back this older screename. So looks like a lot of your newer troll screenames have been axed by Queerty. Awwwwwww.
But by all means, tell us all about why Kavanaugh should stay. (Eye Roll)
Heywood Jablowme
No sane person, after reading Openminded’s comment, would conclude that Openminded wants Kavanaugh to “stay.”
Dijonaise
Crybaby rapist wants to tell everyone else how to live their lives – very on brand republitard.
rois4richo
The democrats are a destructive group. It’s all they know how to do. They made it clear during the Kavanagh hearings as well as Amy Coney Barret. Look how they are destroying this country. ALL of them need to be replaced. They are a disgrace to the United States.
LumpyPillows
I’m looking. How are they destroying this country? Republicans are dying due to republican politicization of vaccines, their blocking fixing our infrastructure, and they worship a proven liar, cheater and whoremonger.
Max
you said Democrats when you should have said Republicans.
Cam
It’s cute when the right wing troll tries to attack Democrats but can only come up with some vague ranting.
Sweetie, you’re boring no matter what screename you’re under.
GayEGO
Well Brett! Your picture shows you have been boofing too much!
MHaumesser
Our government is broken!
Richard
Truth is, you’re not Washington DC material and certainly not presidential material unless you’re a sexual predator, and the majority of them are also psychopaths. Where is there room for outrage from either party? The psychopaths rise to the top like the greaseballs that they are.
Invader7
Another whiny bitch ….