President Donald Trump for the first time directly mocked Christine Blasey Ford's testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee by casting doubt on her testimony during a campaign rally.
President Trump used his "Make America Great Again" rally in MS on Tuesday night to hit back against the scrutiny surrounding his Supreme Court nominee, Judge Brett Kavanaugh.
"I don't think you should lie to Congress", Trump said on Tuesday. I don't remember. How'd you get there? 'Where was the place?' I don't remember.
Trump's point - we think - is Ford's claims aren't credible because she can't remember many details about the alleged incident. 'I don't know! I don't know!
"Where's the house? I don't know!" Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), said Tuesday that he expected the Federal Bureau of Investigation report to be released before Friday, but that he wasn't sure exactly when.
Nonetheless, Trump went on to claim that Ford's accusations had ruined Kavanaugh's life. Kavanaugh denied the accusation, as well as allegations by two other women of sexual misconduct in the 1980s.
President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday that the FBI had the authority to interview anyone it desired, pushing back against charges by Senate Democrats that the White House was limiting the scope of the investigation.
"That is a very, very hard standard", Trump said. You could be someone that was flawless your whole life, and somebody else could accuse you of something.
With the midterm elections just weeks away, Republicans risk losing the House and possibly the Senate as they face an energised Democratic party particularly educated, suburban women and minorities and a wave of GOP retirements, as well as the president's sagging approval ratings and the tide of controversy around his White House.
It's a very scary time to be you.
Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Investigation aims to complete its supplemental background check into the allegations of sexual misconduct made against Kavanaugh by the end of this week, and as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell plans to hold a vote on the nominee in the coming days.
Graham's last question referred to the fact that Ford seemed unaware during her testimony last Thursday that Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee - including chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) - had offered to travel to her home in California in order to discuss her allegations against Kavanaugh. They launched into occasional chants of "We want Chris".
Mr Trump said it was a "scary time for young men" who could become the subject of false allegations.
"It's a tough thing going on", Trump said.
It marked the sharpest criticism by Mr Trump of Ms Ford since she came forward publicly with the allegation last month.
A defiant Kavanaugh came out with guns blazing, insisting the assault never happened, accusing Democrats of destroying his reputation and condemning his confirmation battle as a "national disgrace". Trump himself has been accused of a range of sexual misconduct, from harassment to assault.
/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-jerseyeveningpost-mna.s3.amazonaws.com/public/K6ETO7SCNBHCHLY24KSD34CNIY.jpg)
