A number of Democratic presidential candidates have called for impeachment hearings against Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh, as he faced fresh sexual misconduct allegations.
The embattled legislator allegedly exposed himself to a woman during his time at America’s prestigious Yale University, according to a new report in the The New York Times, which also suggested that his classmates thrust his genitals into her hand against her will.
The newspaper also alleges that the FBI was aware of the allegations during his confirmation hearings, but did not fully vet the allegation.
Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren said it showed that the Senate moved hastily to confirm Mr Kavanaugh, despite the serious allegations made against him at the time.
“Last year the Kavanaugh nomination was rammed through the Senate without a thorough examination of the allegations against him,” she tweeted. “Confirmation is not exoneration, and these newest revelations are disturbing. Like the man who appointed him, Kavanaugh should be impeached.”
During his confirmation hearing, Christine Blasey Ford testified the Mr Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when they were in high school. Deborah Ramirez also told The New Yorker magazine that he had waved his penis in front of her face during their time at Yale.
Mr Kavanaugh has repeatedly denied the accusations, at times under oath.
Senator Kamala Harris, a member of the Judiciary Committee that oversaw Mr Kavanaugh’s contentious confirmation last year, also said he should be removed from the post.
However, the man who nominated Mr Kavanaugh for the role leapt to his defence with a tweet.
Donald Trump claimed that liberals were attempting to subvert the judge.
He wrote: “Can’t let Brett Kavanaugh give Radical Left Democrat (Liberal Plus) Opinions based on threats of Impeaching him over made up stories (sound familiar?), false allegations, and lies. This is the game they play. Fake and Corrupt News is working overtime!”
Mr Trump, has previously indicated he had no personal knowledge regarding the allegations against Mr Kavanaugh.
However, in a joint statement, three progressive groups – the Centre for Popular Democracy, Women’s March and Demand Justice – also called for Mr Kavanaugh’s impeachment.
They said: “The evidence that Kavanaugh committed perjury in his Senate testimony is mounting. Brett Kavanaugh is unfit to sit as a Supreme Court justice in the face of so many credible allegations that he sexually assaulted these women. House Democrats must not delay in launching an impeachment probe.
“This new report corroborates the allegations made by Debbie Ramirez and proves the FBI investigation conducted last year was a sham from the start. … At this point, an impeachment inquiry in the House is the only appropriate way to conduct the fact-finding that Senate Republicans refused to conduct.”
Source: Independent
