Brett Kavanaugh hearing: Trump tweets support for nominee as hearing ends after Christine Ford says she is '100%' sure judge assaulted her
Dr Christine Ford tells senate she thought Brett Kavanaugh was 'going to rape and accidentally kill' her as Supreme Court judge says his wife and family have been left 'destroyed' by false allegations
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Christine Ford has told Congress that she believed Brett Kavanaugh was "going to rape her" in dramatic testimony over her sexual assault allegation against Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee.
Dr Ford said she was "100 per cent" sure it was Mr Kavanaugh who assaulted her.
Later, Mr Kavanaugh appeared in front of the same Senate panel, the judiciary committee, and denied the allegations calling the hearing a "circus". He said he believed Dr Ford had been assaulted at some point, but not by him.
Dr Ford said she was "terrified" of testifying, but that she believes it is her "civic duty". Before she began Senator Dianne Feinstein, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, commended her on coming forward.
The clash pitted her word against his. Members of the Senate, controlled 51-49 by Trump's fellow Republicans, must now decide whether to vote to confirm him after the extraordinary nearly nine-hour-long hearing. Senate Republicans planned to meet on Thursday night to discuss the next steps on the nomination.
“I swear today, under oath, before the Senate and the nation, before my family and God, I am innocent of this charge,” Mr Kavanaugh told the Judiciary Committee later.
Calling himself a victim of “grotesque and obvious character assassination,” Mr Kavanaugh, speaking passionately, said he “unequivocally and categorically” denied Dr Ford's allegation.
“I will not be intimidated into withdrawing from this process,” Mr Kavanaugh added.
Writing on Twitter after the hearing, President Donald Trump said of Mr Kavanaugh, “His testimony was powerful, honest, and riveting. Democrats' search and destroy strategy is disgraceful and this process has been a total sham and effort to delay, obstruct, and resist. The Senate must vote!”
A short break is now taking place. We can likely expect more than a few of these as emotions appear to be running high in the room.
In the meantime, read more of our coverage of the hearing here:
There was a handwritten note spotted on the table where Dr Ford is sitting for her testimony.
The author is unknown, but it was near her microphone and simply reads "Good luck, Dr Ford".
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
Democratic Richard Blumenthal weighs in on Mr Grassley and Republican's blocking of additional witness statement:
Andrew Buncombe has wrapped up the first portion of Dr Ford's testimony. Read here about what has been happening this morning in DC:
And we're back.
Ms Mitchell resumes questions, this time on behalf of Republican Senator of John Cornyn.
Once again, she hones in on a map of Dr Ford's childhood home, showing a large map.
Ms Mitchell now questions Dr Ford about records of therapy sessions during which she discussed the alleged assault.
Dr Ford said she went through her records so she could see if and when she had discussed the incident.
Donald Trump has not spoken with Mr Kavanaugh as yet today, but White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed Vice President Mike Pence has spoken with him.
Ms Sanders told NBC News the Vice President reiterated support for Mr Kavanaugh's nomination.
Dr Ford confirmed to Senator Sheldon White House that she did ask specifically for an FBI investigation of the alleged assault.
"So it could go either way?" Mr Whitehouse asked Dr Ford about the results of a potential FBI investigation.
Dr Ford said: "Yes...I thought I could be more helpful" if there was independent evidence of the incident.
Mr Whitehouse apologised for the lack of "a proper" FBI investigation, a procedure followed for Anita Hill as well.
The fault lies "with 13 men. The president, FBI Director Wray, and the" Republican Senators on the committee, Mr Whitehouse said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments