The White House has not given the FBI permission to interview Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford, who has accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct, as part of the FBI’s supplementary investigation into allegations against Kavanaugh, according to a report.
The White House has indicated to the FBI that testimonies from Kavanaugh and Ford last week before the Senate Judiciary Committee were adequate, although it’s uncertain if the FBI is putting pressure on the White House to receive outright approval to interview them.
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Additionally, it’s uncertain why the FBI has not interviewed several witnesses listed by lawyers who may have information on the allegations, and if the White House needs to sign off on those individuals being interviewed in the first place, sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.
Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., told reporters Wednesday that the FBI was expected to deliver a supplementary background check to lawmakers later Wednesday afternoon.
[Related: When will the FBI interview Christine Blasey Ford?]
The report comes after Ford’s attorneys Debra Katz and Michael Bromwich revealed earlier this week that Ford had not been interviewed by the agency. They wrote to FBI Director Christopher Wray and FBI General Counsel Dana Boente on Tuesday to vocalize their concern that the FBI would not speak to their client directly.
"It is inconceivable that the FBI could conduct a thorough investigation of Dr. Ford’s allegations without interviewing her, Judge Kavanaugh, or the witnesses we have identified in our letters to you," they wrote in the letter.
Wednesday morning, Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said he wasn't as concerned about a new interview with Ford, but said he hopes the FBI is following up with others who might have supplemental information.
Ford has accused Kavanaugh of forcing himself upon her at a high school party in the 1980s. Other women have also accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct, including Deborah Ramirez, who claims Kavanaugh exposed himself to her when they were freshmen at Yale University.
Kavanaugh has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct against him.