White House Authorizes FBI to Interview Anyone Necessary in Kavanaugh Probe

Under pressure from Democrats and some GOP senators, the White House shifted gears and authorized the FBI to interview anyone it deems necessary in its investigation of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh according to the New York Times.

Previously, the administration had authorized the FBI to interview only the first two Kavanaugh accusers, leading to charges that the White House was trying to “micromanage” the investigation.

The only stipulation from the White House was that the FBI conclude its investigation within a week.

The Hill:

The Times report came shortly after President Trump insisted at a press conference that he wanted a “comprehensive investigation” of the claims against Kavanaugh, as long as it’s completed quickly.

“I think the FBI should do what they have to do to get to the answer,” Trump told reporters during a press conference announcing a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada.

“Now with that being said, I’d like it go quickly,” he continued. “And the reason I’d like it to go quickly — very simple, so simple — because it’s unfair to [Kavanaugh] at this point.”

This investigation should only take a few days because there is no “evidence” for the FBI to collect or examine. I don’t see what’s being accomplished other than allowing politicians to cover their asses.

The president has repeatedly suggested he expects the FBI investigation to exonerate Kavanaugh, noting that the judge has undergone several other background checks for his past government work without issue.

Trump on Monday did appear to leave the door open to changing his mind about his nominee depending on the FBI’s findings this week.

“Certainly if they find something, I’m going to take that into consideration,” the president said. “I have a very open mind. The person that takes that position is going to be there a very long time.”

If more than one Republican comes out against Kavanaugh, would Trump withdraw his nomination? Unless the FBI finds something that has heretofore been hidden or kept secret on Kavanaugh, I don’t think any Republicans would dare vote against him.

Senator Flake has already said he would vote to confirm if the FBI can’t find anything and other potential GOP “no” voters like Collins and a few other moderates know that they might as well change their party affiliation if they vote against him. Their state and local GOP organizations would have their scalps and there would be zero help from the RNC when next they run. Majority leader McConnell would make their lives hell by kicking them off important committees and imposing other annoyances on them.

In short, it won’t come to Trump pulling the nomination unless the FBI has something on Kavanaugh that no one is aware of.