FBI can question ‘anybody’ about Brett Kavanaugh: Trump

International Desk: President Trump has said he wants the FBI to conduct a "very comprehensive investigation" into sexual assault allegations against his Supreme Court nominee - but not a "witch hunt".

US media reports earlier suggested the White House wanted to restrict the inquiry into Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

Mr Trump said he had requested that the FBI be given free rein, but added: "I'd like it to go quickly."

Judge Kavanaugh's friend Mark Judge has been interviewed by agents.

A lawyer for Mr Judge - a childhood friend of Mr Kavanaugh - said on Monday that his client's interview "has not been completed".

Mr Judge's testimony is considered key to the investigation, as Professor Christine Blasey Ford says he was in the room when Brett Kavanaugh allegedly assaulted her at a house in 1982.

Mr Judge has not appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee, but said in a statement: "I do not recall the party described in Dr Ford's letter."

On Monday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the upper chamber would vote this week on whether to confirm Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

"The goal posts keep shifting," he said as he accused Democrats of attempting to derail the nomination. "But the goal hasn't moved an inch.

"The time for endless delay and obstruction has come to a close."

The FBI is expected to interview Judge Kavanaugh and some of the women who have accused him of sexual misconduct - including Prof Ford, who testified last week to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Quoting an unnamed senior US official, NBC reported that the FBI's witness list does not include Julie Swetnick, the third accuser to come forward with a claim against Judge Kavanaugh.

US reports also say former classmates of the judge who have claimed he drank heavily in college are not on the witness list.

However, the New York Times earlier reported that a contemporary who accused the judge of lying under oath about his relationship with alcohol plans to speak to the FBI on Monday.

Source:  BBC


risingbd/Oct 2, 2018/Mukul