BRETT KAVANAUGH/FBI/SENATE/SEX ABUSE/SUPREME COURT/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump ordered a limited, week-long FBI probe of the allegations against his Supreme Court pick, Judge Brett Kavanaugh, at the request of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday [9-28-18]. It was a 180-degree turn from his previous statements about making such a move. After the initial accusations against Kavanaugh from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford emerged nearly two weeks ago, the White House touted what was described as a ‘very thorough’ background check process by the FBI, citing the six previous pristine investigations as evidence the confirmation process should move ahead. And asked multiple times whether he would order the FBI to reopen its investigation, Trump suggested that the FBI ‘doesn’t do that.’ But on Friday, amid threats by key Republican Sen. Jeff Flake and growing uncertainty that Kavanaugh would have enough votes for confirmation, the Senate stalled the process to allow a probe into the allegations. Following the committee’s vote, Trump cast a more deferential tone.”
–Betsy Klein, “Trump changes course by ordering FBI investigation into Kavanaugh,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, September 29, 2018 7:14 am