It looks like Dr. Christine Blasey Ford—the woman who accused Judge Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her when they were both high school students—is backing out of testifying in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Again.
In a letter sent by her legal team to Sen. Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ford claims that the Republicans are not offering a “fair and credible process.”
“In our view, the hiring of an unnamed ‘experienced sex crimes prosecutor’ as Mr. Davis described in his email, is contrary to the Majority’s repeated emphasis on the need for the Senate and this Committee’s members to fulfill their constitutional obligations,” Ford’s attorney, Michael Bromwich, wrote.
He added: “It is also inconsistent with your stated wish to avoid a ‘circus,’ as well as Dr. Blasey Ford’s repeated requests through counsel that senators conduct the questioning. This is not a criminal trial for which the involvement of an experienced sex crimes prosecutor would be appropriate.”
He concluded: “The hearing plan that Mr. Davis described does not appear designed to provide Dr. Blasey Ford with fair and respectful treatment.”
Ford’s legal team has raised eyebrows by putting up a large number of roadblocks ahead of her testimony—which, in the eyes of some, has undermined her credibility.
Uncharacteristically, Ford’s team had initially insisted on a number of unreasonable demands, including making Kavanaugh testify first—despite not knowing the specific allegations being made against him.
Ford had also demanded that the FBI conduct a full investigation, despite the fact that an investigation would necessarily start with a victim testimony.
Ford’s hearing has tentatively been scheduled for Thursday.
