President Trump said Thursday that Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her more than 30 years ago, should be able to speak out about her allegation, but said he doesn’t believe a vote on his nomination can be delayed any further.
“Let her have her say and let’s see how it all works out,” Trump told Fox News’ Sean Hannity before a rally in Las Vegas. “But I don’t think you can delay it any longer. They’ve delayed it a week already.”
The president was referencing a vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Kavanaugh’s nomination that was scheduled for Thursday.
But after Ford spoke publicly about her allegation, the Senate Judiciary Committee canceled Thursday’s vote and scheduled a hearing for Monday to further examine the allegation.
The committee invited Kavanaugh and Ford to appear, and Kavanaugh accepted the invitation.
But Ford’s lawyers proposed a hearing later next week instead, according to reports.
Ford has accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her during a party in 1982, when the two were in high school.
Kavanaugh has categorically denied the allegation.
“To see what is going on is just very, very sad,” Trump said. “You say, why didn’t somebody call the FBI 36 years ago? You could also say when did this all happen, what is going on?”
Senate Democrats and Ford’s lawyers have called for the FBI to investigate the claim, but Senate Republicans have rejected their demand.
Trump praised his Supreme Court nominee, calling him an “outstanding person.”
