What are the responses to the allegations against Brett Kavanaugh?

We need the FBI to investigate Brett Kavanaugh

Question: What are the responses to the allegations against Brett Kavanaugh?
Position1 of 5›: The claims against Brett Kavanaugh are credible and must be investigated
Argument1 of 2›: We need the FBI to investigate Brett Kavanaugh

Given the severity of the claims, the FBI should be allowed to investigate

The argument

Given the severity of the claims and the fact that a Supreme Court judge is a lifetime appointment, there is much at stake. It would only be right to conduct a full and thorough FBI investigation of the incident before any vote on Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination can take place. Besides, Kavanaugh has maintained that he was not at the unspecified party with Ford. This is something that can be very quickly investigated. The FBI can find witnesses that either place him at the party in question or confirm that he was not in attendance. Any deadlines Mitch McConnell or Charles Grassley have agreed on are self-imposed. There is no reason to rush proceedings. Kennedy left the Supreme Court just two months ago. Antonin Scalia’s seat sat vacant for more than a year before he was replaced. The FBI investigation will not take long and if Kavanaugh is innocent, like he claims, then it is in his best interests to conduct a full investigation to clear his name. Although the incident does not fall under the FBI’s authority, and the statute of limitations has legally expired, the White House has the authority to order a full FBI investigation. As Kavanaugh is Trump’s nomination, only the Trump administration can task the FBI with investigating the validity of the claims. The Senate cannot.

Context

Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s claims are credible. There is evidence that she mentioned the incident to a therapist in 2012. These claims were not cooked up in recent weeks to destroy Kavanaugh’s nomination.

Premises

[P1]A Supreme Court appointment is a lifetime position with high stakes, warranting thorough vetting of serious allegations before any vote. [P2] An FBI investigation could quickly verify or refute Kavanaugh's claim that he was not at the party, by locating witnesses. [P3] Senate deadlines are self-imposed and there is no constitutional rush, so time exists for the White House to order such an investigation. [C] Therefore, the FBI should investigate the allegations against Kavanaugh before the Senate votes on his nomination.

Counter-arguments

The FBI has already completed its background check on Brett Kavanaugh. To open an FBI investigation would be too time-consuming and overrun the deadline set for Kavanaugh’s appointment. Also, the allegations do not fall under the FBI’s remit. The FBI investigates federal crimes. An attempted rape would fall under a violation of state crimes. The FBI has no authority to investigate the claims. The statute of limitations in Maryland also does not cover this misdemeanour from 34 years ago.

Rejecting the premises

The FBI cannot investigate state crimes. It would be up to the Maryland state police to investigate, which they cannot do because the statute of limitations has expired.

Proponents cited

Ron Wyden
“Given the serious and credible assault allegations against him, the FBI MUST reopen Kavanaugh’s background investigation.”
Lisa Murkowski
“Well, it would sure clear up all the questions, wouldn't it?”
Christine Blasey Ford
“a full investigation by law enforcement officials will ensure that the crucial facts and witnesses in this matter are assessed in a non-partisan manner, and that the Committee is fully informed before conducting any hearing or making any decisions.”
Dianne Feinstein
“We should honor Dr. Blasey Ford’s wishes and delay this hearing. A proper investigation must be completed, witnesses interviewed, evidence reviewed and all sides spoken to.”
Richard Blumenthal
“As a former United States Attorney and attorney general of my state ... there’s no way any prosecutor would put on a witness stand a crime victim without doing a full investigation.”
Patrick Leahy
“This might take a week or two to get all of this together, but what difference does one or two weeks make when you're talking about a lifetime appointment.”
Charles Schumer
“I strongly support Dr. Ford’s call for an FBI investigation before a hearing is held.”
Chris Coons
“These new allegations are deeply concerning and reinforce the need for the FBI to investigate claims against Judge Kavanaugh”
Anita Hill
“The hearing questions need to have a frame, and an investigation is the best frame for that.”
Elizabeth Warren
“How is it that the Republicans can decide the allegations are a sham when they won't do an FBI investigation?”