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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Sam Levin (now) and Oliver Laughland (earlier)

Senate committee to vote Friday on Kavanaugh after turbulent hearing – as it happened

Summary

We are shutting down our live coverage for the day. Thanks for following along. Here’s a summary of some of the key developments and what’s to come:

  • Dr Christine Blasey Ford offered emotional testimony about the alleged assault by the Supreme Court nominee, saying, “I am here because I believe it is my civic duty to tell you what happened to me while Brett Kavanaugh and I were in high school.”
  • Dr Ford said she was “100%” certain it was Kavanaugh who had assaulted her.
  • Dr Ford also testified about her memory of “the uproarious laughter” between Kavanaugh and his friend, Mark Judge, and the two “having fun at my expense”.
  • Kavanaugh was defiant in his testimony, denying the sexual assault allegations and stating, “You’ll never get me to quit.”
  • Kavanaugh repeatedly shouted during his opening remarks, at one point saying, “This is a circus!” and “The consequences will extend long past my nomination.”
  • Republicans called the events a “national disgrace” and “despicable” and on numerous occasions apologized to Kavanaugh.
  • Kavanaugh repeatedly responded to senator Amy Klobuchar’s questions by asking her about her drinking – and later offered a brief apology.
  • The nominee repeatedly declined to answer questions about whether he would ask for or support an FBI investigation into Dr Ford’s allegations.
  • Kavanaugh called the allegations from the third accuser, Julie Swetnick, a “joke” and a “farce”.
  • The Senate judiciary committee plans to hold a vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination on Friday morning.
  • Donald Trump praised Kavanaugh’s testimony as “powerful” and “honest” and did not offer any comment on Dr Ford’s testimony.

Senate committee to vote Friday morning

Republican senators have now said the Senate judiciary committee plans to vote Friday morning on Kavanaugh’s nomination, the AP reports:

John Cornyn of Texas, the second ranking-Republican, had said Thursday that the GOP conference would meet and “see where we are”. After meeting, Republican senator Lindsey Graham said, “There will be a vote tomorrow morning.”

What's next for Kavanaugh

Here are some of the possible scenarios moving forward.

Senate committee holds vote: The Senate judiciary committee is tasked with clearing Kavanaugh’s nomination prior to the full chamber holding a vote. The committee is currently comprised of 11 Republicans and 10 Democrats, leaving the majority with little margin for error – if just one Republican breaks, the nomination will be left in limbo.

At least one Republican on the committee, Jeff Flake of Arizona, has expressed reservations about Kavanaugh amid the allegations. He has not signaled how he might vote. Even if the panel narrowly approves Kavanaugh, it is not clear if he has sufficient votes to be confirmed by the Senate, where Republicans can similarly only afford to lose one vote before vice-president Mike Pence would be called in a tie-breaker.

All eyes are on crucial GOP swing-vote senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who have both raised concerns about Kavanaugh.

Senate committee defers vote: The vote could still be postponed if Republicans believe pressing forward might backfire. The Senate GOP conference is poised to meet behind closed doors late Thursday, where a plan will likely be hashed out for how to proceed.

Republicans are nonetheless working against a clock to confirm Kavanaugh. Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, has pledged to wrap up the supreme court process prior to the November midterm elections.

White House pulls nomination: On Wednesday, Donald Trump had not ruled out withdrawing Kavanaugh’s nomination, pending the outcome of Thursday’s hearing. Speaking with reporters at the United Nations, Trump defended Kavanaugh but said he looked forward to what Ford had to say.

“I can be persuaded also,” Trump said. “I’m going to see what’s said. It’s possible they will be convincing.”

Trump reportedly phoned Kavanaugh ahead of Thursday’s hearing and urged him to push back forcefully, and many observers interpreted Kavanaugh’s aggressive testimony as intended for the president.

Then having restrained himself from Twitter all day, the president weighed in as the hearing wrapped with a resounding endorsement of his nominee, which now makes it extremely unlikely that the White House will torpedo their man.

More details here:

Mark Judge, Kavanaugh’s high school friend whose name was repeatedly mentioned at the hearing, has said he “does not recall the events” Dr Christine Blasey Ford described in her testimony, according to a statement from Judge’s lawyer. Update from the AP:

Judge’s lawyer, Barbara Van Gelder, said Thursday that he “does not want to comment about these events publicly” and “will not respond to any media inquiries”.

Van Gelder said Judge “is willing to answer written questions, and he has. In addition, he is willing to participate in a confidential, fact-finding investigation”.

Democrats and others have repeatedly argued that Judge should be called to testify before a confirmation vote on Kavanaugh.

Earlier on Thursday, the Washington Post published an analysis of Judge’s 1997 book, Wasted: Tales of a Gen X Drunk, saying part of the book appeared to validate Ford’s timeline of the alleged assault by Kavanaugh.

When a senator asked Dr Ford if she would like Judge to testify, she said:

That would be my preference. I’m not sure it’s really up to me, but I certainly would feel like I could be more helpful to everyone.

Kavanaugh described Judge in his testimony as a “funny guy, great writer, popular”, adding that he “developed a serious addiction problem that lasted decades”.

Three Republican senators, who will cast critical votes on Kavanaugh, have met for a private meeting, according to CNN and other reports.

Republican senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Jeff Flake met with Joe Manchin, a Democrat. It’s unclear what came out of the meeting of the four senators, considered key centrist votes at this time:

*This post was corrected to note that senator Manchin is a Democrat.

Updated

For those who didn’t tune in all day, here are clips of a handful of notable moments:

Writer Moira Donegan has written an analysis of Dr Ford’s testimony in the Guardian:

Dr Ford’s vulnerability was contrasted with her competence. She calmly responded to repetitive factual queries, even when the lines of questioning by Rachel Mitchell, the female prosecutor hired by Republicans to put a gentle, feminine sheen on their skepticism toward Dr Ford, veered into the insulting and preposterous.

Dr Ford answered questions about whether she had been sufficiently traumatized by her assault, about who paid for the polygraph test that she passed, and about whether she was really afraid of flying. Dr. Ford, who holds a psychology PhD, effectively served as an expert witness on the psychological impact of her own assault, and provided a remedial education to the Senators on the committee in brain chemistry, memory formation, and trauma response.

Read the full piece here:

Updated

Trump calls Kavanaugh testimony 'honest'

The president has now praised Kavanaugh, saying his testimony was “powerful, honest, and riveting”:

Trump’s tweet made no mention of Dr Ford’s testimony.

Some more from the Associated Press about Trump’s reaction to the hearings:

A White House official told the AP that the West Wing saw the judge’s opening statement as “game changing” and said Trump appeared to be reacting positively.

Trump watched the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Air Force One as he traveled from New York, then resumed monitoring back at the White House.

Two Republicans close to the White House say Trump expressed sympathy for Kavanaugh and his family for having to listen to Ford’s tearful recounting of allegations. After seeing Ford’s testimony, White House aides and allies expressed concern that Kavanaugh would have an uphill climb to deliver a strong enough showing.

In a sign of how deeply this hearing has divided the Senate, Republican senator Tom Cotton, who is not on the committee, attacked his Democratic colleague, senator Richard Blumenthal’s lack of “courage and honesty”. He tweeted as Blumenthal questioned Kavanaugh’s credibility during the contentious hearing.

Blumenthal did misrepresent his military service years, but it’s extraordinary to see a senator go after his colleague in this manner.

Republican senator John Kennedy asked the final questions of the evening, saying, “Do you believe in God?” Kavanaugh said he did.

Kennedy continued, “I want you to look me in the eye. Are Dr Ford’s allegations true?”

“They are not accurate as to me,” the judge responded. “I’ve never done this ... Never done this to her or anyone else.”

Asked about the Deborah Ramirez allegations, Kavanaugh said, “If that had happened, that would’ve been the talk of campus.”

“None of these allegations are true? No doubt in your mind?” asked Kennedy.

“Zero,” Kavanaugh responded.

The final question of the day: “Do you swear to God?”

“I swear to God,” Kavanaugh responded.

Democratic senator Kamala Harris asked Kavanaugh if he has taken a polygraph test in relation to the allegations.

Kavanaugh respoded, “No. I’ll do whatever the committee wants. Of course, those are not admissible in federal court.”

Harris asked Kavanaugh about the calls for a FBI investigation, saying, “Are you willing to ask the White House to conduct an investigation by the FBI?”

He repeatedly refused to answer the question until Harris said: “I’m going to take that as a no.”

Harris asked him about his comments of a “conspiracy”, citing the successful appointment of Neil Gorsuch. He said he already answered that question.

“Do you think it is possible for men to be both friends with women and treat other women badly?” she asked.

“Of course,” Kavanaugh responded, “But the point I’ve been emphasizing is if you go back to age 14 for me, you will find people ... lots of people I’v been friends with ... women ... It’s a consistent pattern all the way through, 65 women who knew me more than 35 years ago signed a letter to support me.”

Harris’ final question: “Did you watch Dr Ford’s testimony?”

“I did not. I plan to. I was preparing mine,” he said.

Updated

Republican Ted Cruz expressed sympathy for Kavanaugh:

This has been one of the most shameful chapters in the history of the United States Senate. Watching your mother’s pained face has been heart-wrenching as she’s seen her son’s character dragged through the mud ... The American people can set aside the partisan warfare of Washington and look toward substance and facts ... I do not believe Senate Democrats have treated you with respect ...

Cruz also attacked Democratic senator Dianne Feinstein for her handling of Dr Ford’s story. She responded:

I did not hide Dr Ford’s allegation. I did not leak her story. She asked me to hold it confidential, and I kept it confidential. She apparently was stalked by the press ... She felt she was forced to come forward. And her greatest fear was realized. She has been harassed. She has had death threats. She had to flee her home.

Asked if her staff leaked the information, Feinstein responded, “The answer is no ... It did not leak from us, I assure you of that.”

Updated

'Are you calling her a political operative?'

Democrat Cory Booker confirmed that Kavanaugh drank on weekdays in high school, and also confirmed that the judge’s position was that he never had gaps in memory when drinking.

Reading Kavanaugh’s comments from earlier, the senator continued, “Are you saying that Dr Ford’s efforts to come forward ... have all been part of an orchestrated political hit? Are you basically calling her some kind of political operative?”

“My family has no ill will to Dr Ford,” Kavanaugh responded.

“Do you wish that she never came forward? Do you wish she would just remain silent?” Booker said.

“All allegations should be taken seriously,” Kavanaugh responded, adding, “I don’t know her. We bear no ill will to her.”

Updated

Senator Thom Tillis echoed earlier comments from Kavanaugh in his remarks:

Judge Kavanaugh, I also have to say you’re the first major target of a new strategy that’s developed here... It’s basically ‘attack, attack, attack’... This is the playbook. This is the way we’re going to run this committee? ...

I believe that you’re going to be on the bench.

Updated

Senator Mazie Hirono, a Democrat, criticized Kavanaugh for his attacks on Democrats, citing Dr Ford’s powerful testimony:

We heard from Dr Christine Ford who spoke to us with quiet, raw emotional power about what happened to her. She said she was 100% certain it was you who attacked her. She explained how she came forward, how she struggled with her decision. ... When you and my colleagues on the other side accuse us of ambushing you .... I think we all have to remember Dr Ford’s testimony and her courage.

She asked him if he believed “temperament” was an important factor for senators to consider when evaluating him?

Kavanaugh said he had been consistently praised for having good temperament in court.

Asked about his behavior in college, he talked about his acceptance to Yale law: “I got into Yale Law School. That’s the number one law school in the country ... Look at my academic record. I don’t usually like to talk about myself this way. I worked very hard in college.”

We’re on a five-minute break. Republican senators have repeatedly mentioned an earlier quote from then-senator Joe Biden during the Anita Hill hearings about the FBI. Here’s a response from Biden’s spokesperson about FBI background investigations.

And a video from earlier in the day when senator Grassley mentioned Biden:

Democratic senator Richard Blumenthal asked about Renate Dolphin, a former classmate. Kavanaugh was among those named as “Renate alumni” in his yearbook. Dolphin said the remarks were “hurtful”. Kavanaugh responded by chastising the senator for bringing up her name:

Your question is based on a false premise and really does great harm to her. You’re doing great harm to her by bringing her name up. ... Look what you’re doing. ... You’re just dragging her through the mud. It’s just unnecessary.

Blumenthal also asked if the judge believed Anita Hill at the end of his remarks, but the questioned moved on and Kavanaugh did not answer.

Updated

Republican senator Mike Lee has used his time to attack Democrats’ call for an FBI investigation after praising Kavanaugh as “attentive” and “responsive”:

If you have questions for Judge Kavanaugh, ask him. He’s right here. If you have questions of other witnesses ... Participate in the committee investigations that have been going on. ... If someone was really interested in the truth, this is what they would do. ...

“I extend to you my most profound sympathies,” the senator added.

Kavanaugh deflects question on aggression

Senator Chris Coons, a Democrat, asked Kavanaugh about “whether you’ve ever gotten aggressive while drinking or forgotten an evening after drinking”. The judge said:

The answer to that is basically no. I don’t really know what you mean by that. What are you talking about? No, is the basic answer unless you’re talking about something that I’m not aware of.

Coons also asked Kavanaugh about comments from a former classmate about his behavior while drinking – that he would sometimes get aggressive and drink frequently. Kavanaugh deflected in his response, not directly answering.

Coons also asked him to join him in calling for a week-long FBI investigation.

“Every day has been a lifetime,” Kavanaugh responded, referencing the last ten days.

Updated

'A national disgrace'

Republican senator Orrin Hatch is now decrying the process as unfair.

This is worse than Clarence Thomas. I didn’t think it could get any worse than that. This is a national disgrace ...

He was an immature high schooler. So were we all. That he wrote or said stupid things does not make him a sexual predator ...

Updated

We’re back from the break. Kavanaugh opened up with a brief apology to Democratic senator Amy Klobuchar after he asked her about her drinking in response to her questions: “I’m sorry I did that. It’s a tough process.”

She responded, “I was truly just trying to get to the bottom of the facts and the evidence.”

Some observers are commenting on the stark contrast in gender expectations that the dueling testimony of Kavanaugh and Dr Ford has revealed:

The White House is praising Lindsey Graham, who earlier called the hearing “despicable”:

Lindsey Graham jabs his finger.
Lindsey Graham jabs his finger. Photograph: Tom Williams/Pool/EPA

Updated

We are on another 15-minute break. In the meantime, here’s a report from the Associated Press, with experts backing up Dr Ford’s explanation of the mechanics of memory:

In her testimony Christine Blasey Ford dipped briefly into the mechanics of memory. Experts say she got her scientific facts basically right.

Asked how she could be sure it was Kavanaugh who put a hand over her mouth to keep her quiet, Ford, a psychologist, cited levels of chemical messengers called norepinephrine and epinephrine in her brain at the time of the alleged attack.

She said those chemicals helped encode memories in the hippocampus region of the brain, so that the main memory was “locked there” while other details “kind of drift.”

Later, she said a memory of Kavanaugh and another teen laughing during the assault was “indelible in the hippocampus”.

Memories are not highly detailed, objective recordings of events retrieved with perfect accuracy. They are shaped by beliefs and expectations. For that reason, experts told The Associated Press that both Ford and Kavanaugh, who denies that any assault happened, may both firmly believe what they say.

Experts in memory and the brain said Ford’s quick tour of memory machinery was generally correct. Levels of the brain substances she cited go up when a person is alarmed, and they help memories become laid down more strongly in the hippocampus, said Elizabeth Phelps, a Harvard University psychologist.

That helps people vividly recall central parts of an emotional experience, while details are typically lost, said Lila Davachi of Columbia University.

Democratic senator Amy Klobuchar questioned Kavanaugh about his drinking habits: “You’re saying there has never been a case where you drank so much you never remembered what happened the night before?”

Kavanaugh responded by repeatedly trying to ask the senator about her drinking habits: “I think you’ve probably had beers, senator.” Some of that exchange:

Cornyn compares Kavanaugh hearing to McCarthy witch-hunts

Republican senator John Cornyn is up next in an indication that Mitchell, who questioned Dr Ford for the entirety of her testimony, may have already finished her interrogation of Kavanaugh.

Cornyn follows in Graham’s fiery tone. He compares the hearing to the McCarthy communist sympathiser hearings of 1954.

Kavanaugh watches on and appears to be sympathetic to the analogy.

“I’m never going to get my reputation back,” he says.

Updated

Graham: 'The most despicable thing I've ever seen'

Democratic senator Dick Durbin asks Kavanaugh to turn to the White House counsel Don McGahn, who is apparently sitting in the front row, and call for an FBI investigation.

Predictably, Kavanaugh doesn’t take the bait.

He then asks the judge whether he wants an FBI investigation. Kavanaugh does not answer directly, “I am innocent,” he says.

Just after Durbin’s question, Republican senator Lindsey Graham launches into an extraordinary tirade, branding the hearing “the most despicable thing I’ve ever seen in politics”.

He turns to his Democratic colleagues, who he says have “destroyed this guy’s life”.

“I would never to do to them what you’ve done to this guy,” he says. “I hope the American people see through this sham. When it comes to this, you’re looking for a fair process, you’ve come to the wrong place.”

Kavanaugh says of the experience: “I’ve been through hell and then some.”

Lindsey Graham in his furious tirade.
Lindsey Graham in his furious tirade. Photograph: Win McNamee/Getty Images

Updated

Mitchell gets another five minutes. She moves onto Kavanaugh’s calendars from the summer of 1982. She asks him: “Is there anything [in the calendars] that could remotely fit Dr Ford’s allegations?

“No,” he responds.

She asks: “Are you aware that in Maryland there is no statute of limitations that would stop you from being charged?”

“Yes, that’s my understanding.”

Mitchell’s five minutes are up again.

We’re back on now. And Democratic senator Patrick Leahy begins by asking whether Kavanaugh wants Mark Judge called as a witness.

Kavanaugh says he has already provided sworn testimony and then the two get into a shouting match.

Leahy then asks whether a character in one of Judge’s books, who is portrayed passing out after excessive drinking, is based on Kavanaugh.

Kavanaugh says: “You’d have to ask him.”

“I agree with you there,” Leahy says.

Leahy then asks Kavanaugh about his his school yearbook. The two then get into another shouting match before Grassley intervenes.

Kavanaugh then defends his time in high school, without talking about the yearbook.

“I busted my butt in academics,” he says, before going into details about his participation in sports and other activities.

“If we want to sit here and discuss whether a supreme court nomination should be based on a high school year book, I think that takes us to new levels of absurdity,” Kavanugh says.

Leahy runs out of time, ands concludes: “We got a filibuster but no answer.”

Updated

A number of White House reporters are suggesting that Donald Trump was enthralled with Kavanaugh’s fierce, combative defence.

According to some reports, this form of aggressive testimony is exactly what Trump had called for.

While we’re on this break, it’s worth revisiting some of my colleagues’ reporting on Kavanaugh’s record with law clerks.

As part of his full-throated defense of his record promoting the careers and ambitions of women, both personally and professionally, Kavanaugh boasted of his record of selecting female clerks to work in his office.

“If confirmed, I’ll be the first justice in the history of the Supreme Court to have a group of all women law clerks. That is who I am,” he said.

But as the Guardian’s Stephanie Kirchgaessner and Jessica Glenza have reported, some of clerks were told by a Yale professor that their physical looks could help win a coveted spot in Kavanaugh’s legal chambers.

Updated

Mitchell then asks Kavanaugh about his drinking. He again concedes that he drank beer in his high school days, but says it was never to the point of “blacking out”.

Mitchell then asks about the specifics of Dr Ford’s allegations. He denies every one of them, ranging from being present in a room with and Judge, to him allegedly assaulting her, with a simple “no”.

Kavanaugh then requests a 15-minute break, and the committee accepts.

Brett Kavanaugh’s wife Ashley as Kavanaugh reads his prepared statement.
Brett Kavanaugh’s wife Ashley as Kavanaugh reads his prepared statement. Photograph: Pool/Getty Images

Updated

Julie Swetnick's allegations 'a joke, a farce' – Kavanaugh

Feinstein immediately asks why Kavanaugh has not voiced a request to have the allegations investigated by the FBI.

He responds instantly by saying he wanted to come before the committee the day after Ford’s allegations were made public.

Feinstein presses him further about not submitting to an interview with the FBI. He interrupts and says: “You’re interviewing me. There’s no conclusions reached.”

He then instantly denies allegations made against him by three women: Ford, Ramierz and Swetnik.

He labels Swetnik’s allegations as “a joke. It’s a farce.” And declines to elaborate.

Brett Kavanaugh’s parents, Everett and Martha Kavanaugh.
Brett Kavanaugh’s parents, Everett and Martha Kavanaugh. Photograph: Reuters

Updated

In that exchange, Kavanaugh confirms he knows all of the people Dr Ford suggests were present at the time of the assault.

Once again, Mitchell’s questions last just five minutes and she hands over to Democratic senator Dianne Feinstein.

Senator Grassley straight away hands over to Rachel Mitchell.

She asks instantly about his relationship with Mark Judge.

He describes him as a “great, funny guy” he describes his battles with additction and says he hasn’t spoken to Judge “in a couple of years”.

Kavanaugh finishes testimony

Kavanaugh now goes on criticise Democrats on the committee. He points to other ways he claims they have destroyed his life.

“I love teaching law. But thanks to what some of you on this side of the committee I may never be able to teach again,” he says.

Of his coaching of his daughter’s basketball team, he says: “I love coaching more than anything more than anything I‘ve ever done in my whole life. But thanks to what some of you on this side of the committee have unleashed, I may never be able to coach again.”

He concludes his remarks by arguing: “We live in a country devoted to due process and the rule of law. That means taking allegations seriously. But if an allegation … from 36 years ago, is enough to destroy a persons career we will have abandoned … due process.”

He adds: “My family and I intend no ill will to Dr Ford and her family. I swear before the nation and God I am innocent of this charge.”

Kavanaugh: ‘I swear before the nation and God I am innocent of this charge.’
Kavanaugh: ‘I swear before the nation and God I am innocent of this charge.’ Photograph: Pool/Reuters

Updated

Kavanaugh: I never committed sexual assault

Kavanugh’s opening remarks are still going. He now talks about his character as a high school student.

He acknowledges his drinking in youth but adds: “There is a bright line between drinking beer - which I gladly do and fully embrace, and sexual assault. I never committed sexual assault.”

He concedes: “As high school students we sometimes did goofy and stupid things.” And he talks about his high school yearbook: “This past week, my friends and I have cringed when we read about it and talked to each other.”

He refers to one high school friend who was referred to crudely in the book as an “alumnus” of a number of male pupils. “The media has interpreted this as related to sex,” he says, saying they are incorrect. “I’m so sorry to her for that yearbook reference.”

He then moves on to talk about his sexual history: “As to sex, this is not a topic I ever imagined would ever come up at a judicial hearing.”

He reiterates that he did not have sex until “many years after” he left college.

He concedes: “In some crowds I was a little outwardly shy of my experience, at the time I was inwardly proud of it.”

Updated

He now states that the calendar entries suggest he was out of town for most weekends in the summer of 1982, and suggests that Dr Ford has alleged that the party she was assaulted at took place during a weekend. Ford has not specified a day when the assault took place.

He acknowledges that the calendars are not complete as they do not show him attending church every Sunday.

“Going to church on Sundays was like brushing my teeth, automatic. It still is.”

He acknowledges the calendars show him attending house parties during weekdays, but suggests the list of attendees do no match the list of people Ford has said were present at the event she was assaulted at.

He says the calendars cannot be seen as overwhelming but adds: “They are another piece of evidence in the mix for you to consider.”

Brett Kavanaugh’s wife Ashley watches her husband.
Brett Kavanaugh’s wife Ashley watches her husband. Photograph: Win McNamee/Getty Images

Updated

Kavanaugh on allegations: 'I have never done that to her, or to anyone'

Kavanaugh moves on to address Dr Ford’s allegations specifically.

“I have never done that to her, or to anyone,” he says.

He adds: “It is possible that we met at some point at some events, but I do not recall that.”

He refers to the calendars he has submitted to the committee, which he claims document the summer on 1982 when the alleged assault took place. Kavanaugh begins to break down again as he describes his reasoning for keeping a calendar, which he says is to copy the practice of his father.

“Mine are not as good as my dad’s,” he says, holding back tears, then pausing for a moment to collect his breath.

Updated

Kavanaugh appears to almost break into tears as he says his daughters told him to pray for Dr Ford last night. He reiterates a key part of his defence, which is not to question that Ford was sexually assaulted, but to say categorically it was not him.

He then goes back over his record both in the executive branch of government and then the judiciary.

“I have handled some of the most significant cases for the liberty of the American people,” he says of his time on the bench.

Kavanaugh appears close to tears.
Kavanaugh appears close to tears. Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Updated

Kavanaugh: allegations 'part of a calculated political hit'

Kavanaugh continues his extraordinary opening remarks, in a move that will undoubtedly draw comparisons to Clarence Thomas’s rebuttal of Anita Hill’s allegations in 1991.

“This has destroyed my family and my good name. A good name built up through decades of public service,” he says. He says the allegations are part of a “calculated political hit”.

He says “the consequences will be felt for decades”. He adds: “What goes around comes around.”

“I will not be intimidated into withdrawing from this process,” he says.

He adds: “Your co-ordinated and well funded effort to destroy my good name... will not drive me out.

“You may defeat me in the final vote. But you’ll never defeat me ever... I’m here to tell the truth, I have never sexually assaulted anyone.”

Kavanaugh’s extraordinary statement draws comparisons to Clarence Thomas’s strategy in 1991.
Kavanaugh’s extraordinary statement draws comparisons to Clarence Thomas’s strategy in 1991. Photograph: Saul Loeb/Pool/EPA

Updated

Kavanaugh attacks 'frenzy on the left' for trying to 'destroy' him

In an extraordinary, combative move Kavanaugh has scrapped his prepared statement he’d supplied to the committee yesterday. He says these are his words, written yesterday evening.

He says his reputation has been “totally and permanently destroyed”.

He says: “This confirmation process has become a national disgrace... you have replaced advise and consent with search and destroy.”

He blames a “frenzy on the left” which has “come up with something, anything to destroy my nomination.”

Updated

Brett Kavanaugh begins to testify

Kavanaugh has entered the committee room to roar of camera shutters.

He tells chairman Grassley he is ready to be sworn in. He raises his right hand and swears to tell the truth.

Brett Kavanaugh is sworn in.
Brett Kavanaugh is sworn in. Photograph: Pool/Getty Images

Updated

Senators are now filing back into the committee room, as Republican committee member John Cornyn seems to double down on his support of Kavanaugh’s nomination.

My colleague Lauren Gambino, who is in the committee room sends some more from the end of Dr Ford’s testimony:

The hearing ended on an odd note. The senators started to bicker and one of Ford’s lawyers interjected to ask if she could leave as it had been a long day. Chairman Grassley asked her to wait long enough for him to thank her for coming. When he finished, a handful of supporters in the room clapped and said “Thank you” and “Bravo”.

“Women have been fighting these battles for eternity,” said actress and #MeToo activist Alyssa Milano, said in an interview after the hearing. “I think if we’re to skip to the future in 100 years and look back on the timelines of Alice Ball to where we are today, I think that we would see very distinct moments in time that meant something. And this is one of those moments.”

Milano, who wore a tiny pin that said “I believe Christine Blasey Ford”, said she planned to stay to hear Kavanaugh’s testimony. “Someone’s got to be here to stare him down.”

My colleague Lauren Gambino was in the committee room to watch Dr Ford’s testimony up close. She’s sent these observations from just after the conclusion of Ford’s testimony a short while ago:

We’re only half way through proceedings today, and so much of Kavanaugh’s confirmation prospects still hang on his own performance before the committee.

Dr Ford’s appearance has captivated the entire nation and you can read our news wrap of events so far below.

Dr Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who has accused US supreme court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault, has detailed the agony of coming forward to “relive this trauma in front of the world” at an historic Senate hearing.

With Kavanaugh’s confirmation to America’s highest bench hanging in the balance, Ford recounted in gripping detail how she was allegedly forced into a bedroom in the early 1980s by Kavanaugh and his friend Mark Judge, when they were teenagers.

“I am here today not because I want to be. I am terrified,” said Ford, her voice cracking with emotion, in her her first public appearance before members of the Senate judiciary committee on Capitol Hill on Thursday.

“I am here because I believe it is my civic duty to tell you what happened to me while Brett Kavanaugh and I were in high school.”

Kavanaugh, Donald Trump’s hardline conservative pick for the vacant seat on the supreme court, had been expected to sail through the confirmation process until Ford came forward earlier this month, followed by two other women who publicly accused him of sexual misconduct. Kavanaugh, who has denied the allegations, is slated to testify after Ford. Judge has also denied the allegations.

Updated

Mitchell ends her questioning by acknowledging that her own method of questioning is not a best practice interview for survivors of sexual assault.

“Did you know that the best way to do it is to have a trained interview interview you in a private sense and have you do the talking?” she asks Dr Ford.

“It’s called a cognitive interview. This is not a cognitive interview,” she adds.

Mitchell then asks Ford whether anyone from Anna Eshoo’s office or Dianne Feinstein advised her to get a cognitive interview. She says they did not.

And with that, Ford’s testimony comes to an end. “Lets be nice to her,” Senator Grassley says to his colleagues on the committee who start discussing evidence to be entered into the record. He then thanks Ford for appearing and the committee breaks for 45 minutes.

Brett Kavanaugh is set to appear after.

Ford finished her testimony.
Ford finished her testimony. Photograph: Pool/Reuters

Updated

Kamala Harris: 'History will show you are a true profile in courage'

Senator Harris starts her questioning with three powerful words: “I believe you,” she tells Dr Ford.

She then goes on, as all of her Democratic colleagues have, to lambast Republicans on the committee and the president for not commencing an FBI investigation into Ford’s allegations.

“You have bravely come forward and I want to thank you,” Harris says. “History will show you are a true profile in courage.”

Updated

Back to Mitchell now. She asks Dr Ford if she’s aware of any outside parties funding her legal team.

Ford’s lawyers intervene to say they are both working to represent their client pro bono.

Ford is then asked about an old friend, who does she not want to name, who was a mutual friend of both her and Kavanaugh.

She is then asked to list any other encounters she remembers between her and Kavanugh and asked if any of these involved separate allegations of sexual assault. She says there were no other interactions that involved assault.

Mitchell then hands over to Democratic senator Kamala Harris.

Senator Booker asks how Dr Ford’s family, her two children and her husband, have coped since her name entered the public domain. “They’re doing fairly well, considering. Thank you for asking,” she responds.

Like other Democratic senators, he hails Dr Ford’s courage in coming forward, which he labels “heroic”.

Booker asks how Ford feels about the limited investigative efforts of the committee.

“I wish that I could be more helpful, and that others could be more helpful,” she says.

Updated

Mitchell is now asking Dr Ford about the letter she wrote to Senator Dianne Feinstein on 30 July.

She confirms she did not expect the letter to be made public, and says she did not provide it to anyone else other than her attorneys. She says she does not know how the letter was made public.

Her five minutes is up again and the questions are handed to Democratic senator Cory Booker.

Christine Blasey Ford resumes testimony

We’re back underway now.

Mitchell is now asking Dr Ford who paid for the polygraph test she took. Her lawyers interject to say that they funded the test, “as is routine”.

Updated

Republican senator Cornyn: 'There is no corroboration'

Another Republican senator on the judiciary committee, John Cornyn, appears to be unmoved by Dr Ford’s testimony.

He told CNN: “Basically she’s repeating what we already knew, which is she believes something happened. She believes it was Brett Kavanaugh but everybody she claims was in the house denies having any knowledge of it. There is no corroboration.”

Jeff Flake, another GOP senator who may become a key vote in the process, has said he wants to hear all the evidence before passing comment.

Republican Lindsey Graham, who has already told reporters he is unswayed by Ford’s evidence, has just been accused of dismissing a woman outside of the hearing who told him she was sexually assaulted years ago:

Updated

Trump postpones meeting with Rosenstein

In an indication of how closely Donald Trump is watching this hearing, the White House has confirmed that a scheduled meeting between the president and deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein has been postponed. The crucial meeting was called after the New York Times reported last week that Rosenstein, who is overseeing the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, had offered to wear a wire during a meeting with Trump.

From press secretary Sarah Sanders: “The president spoke with Rod Rosenstein a few minutes ago and they plan to meet next week. They do not want to do anything to interfere with the hearing.”

Meanwhile, its worth taking a look at how Ford’s testimony is playing out on conservative news channel Fox News:

Updated

The president’s son Donald Trump Jr, a regular contributor to Fox News, has been tweeting throughout Dr Ford’s evidence.

Trump Jr, who regularly spreads conspiracy theories and outright falsehoods using social media, appears to be suggesting that some of Ford’s testimony on her fear of flying undermines her account of the alleged sexual assault.

It’s a marked contrast to experienced prosecutors, like former federal US attorney Preet Bharara, who argue the line of questioning was not credible.

Meanwhile, a number of Republican senators on the judiciary committee appear to be unswayed by Ford’s evidence:

Updated

As Ford testifies on Capitol Hill, all eyes are on a handful of Republican senators who could prove as crucial swing votes on the Kavanaugh nomination.

Two of the chamber’s most prominent Republican women, Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, have expressed reservations about Kavanaugh in the wake of the allegations.

“We are now in a place where it’s not about whether or not Judge Kavanaugh is qualified,” Murkowski told the New York Times this week.

“It is about whether or not a woman who has been a victim at some point in her life is to be believed.”

Collins has reportedly raised concerns to her Republican colleagues in private about the judiciary committee’s refusal to subpoena Mark Judge, the close friend of Kavanaugh’s who Ford says was present during the alleged assault.

Both senators said they will be closely watching Thursday’s hearing to make a determination about how they believe the Kavanaugh nomination should proceed.

Senator Jeff Flake, a Republican from Arizona, also expressed reservations amid the allegations and delivered a speech on the Senate floor on Wednesday urging both Ford and Kavanaugh to be treated with respect.

“These witnesses who will testify in a very important hearing tomorrow, these unwitting combatants in an undeclared war – these people are not props for us to make our political points, nor are they to be ‘demolished like Anita Hill’ as was said on conservative media the other night,” Flake said. “Nor is one them a ‘proven sex criminal’ as has been circulating on the left side of the internet.”

Updated

Hearing breaks for lunch

Mitchell is now asking Dr Ford about her decision to take a polygraph test. She asks if the test was recorded, either on video or audio. Ford says she was overcome by the process of taking the test and does not remember if it was recorded.

It’s worth bearing in mind here that the Senate is in possession of the full results of that test, which Ford passed.

We’re now on a 45-minute break for lunch.

Updated

Democratic senator Richard Blumenthal takes up his five minutes. He hails Dr Ford’s bravery for coming forward.

“I think you have earned America’s gratitude,” he says to her. Ford appears visibly moved at this moment, but continues to answer questions with composure.

Blumenthal moves to criticise president Donald Trump directly for not opening an FBI investigation into Ford’s claims. “It’s tantamount to a cover-up,” he says.

Meanwhile, there are reports that Dr Ford’s testimony has riled the president:

Updated

Mitchell continues to go through procedural questions, now asking Dr Ford to talk about her decision to hire outside counsel after she contacted the Washington Post and her local congresswoman.

Meanwhile, it’s clear the power of Ford’s testimony is causing shockwaves around the Republican establishment. A number of senior Republicans, outside of federal government, are now calling for Kavanaugh’s nomination to be postponed.

Updated

Democratic seator Chris Coons asks Dr Ford to comment on Kavanaugh’s age at the time of the alleged assault. Some have argued that because the judge was a teenager at the time of the alleged incident it should not be held against him in the confirmation process.

She responds: “I think, the younger you are when these things happen, the worse impact it can have to when you’re older and the brain is developed.”

Senator Grassley has been at pains throughout this hearing to argue that the committee has done all it can to work with Ford and her legal team to execute the hearing in a fair and impartial manner. Ford’s legal team appear to be taking issue with that characterization:

Updated

Mitchell now moves on to Ford’s decision to talk to the press and her local congressional representative, Anna Eshoo.

Mitchell asks about why Ford contacted the Washington Post and her congresswoman, when Kavanaugh was reportedly on the shortlist for the supreme court nomination.

She responds: “I was panicking because I knew the timeline was short on the decision.” She adds: “I felt like the best option was to go to the civic route. Unfortunately neither got back to me before the selection for the nominee.”

Updated

'The stairwell. The bedroom. The laughter. The uproarious laughter'

Senator Klobuchar takes a slightly different line of questioning from her colleagues and asks Dr Ford to tell the committee the moments and events of the night of the alleged attack that she does not forget.

Dr Ford answers in staccato sentences, again maintaining her composure: “The stairwell. The living room. The bedroom. The bed on the right side of the room. The bathroom... The laughter. Uproarious laughter. The multiple attempts to escape.”

Updated

Mitchell continues her questioning. She asks whether there are any other contributing factors to the PTSD that Dr Ford suffered in the wake of the alleged attack.

Dr Ford says it’s “a great question” and acknowledges there may be other events that have shaped her trauma, but says there’s “nothing as substantial” as the alleged assault.

Mitchell then asks Dr Ford to run through the places she has travelled to via aeroplane – presumably in a bid to highlight she still flies. Dr Ford earlier told the committee she has suffered from claustrophobia as a result of the alleged attack.

Mitchell’s five minutes are up and the questions are handed to Democratic senator Amy Klobuchar.

Christine Blasey Ford flanked by her lawyers in the hearing room.
Christine Blasey Ford flanked by her lawyers in the hearing room. Photograph: Reuters

Updated

Trump, FBI chief and Republicans accused of blocking investigation

Senator Whitehouse uses his five minutes to lambast whom he describes as the 13 men who have let Dr Ford down since she sent her allegations were made public. He lists them as Donald Trump, FBI director Chistopher Wray and the 11 Republican senators on the senate judiciary committee.

Whitehouse says all of them have blocked a proper investigation into her claims, arguing, as other Democrats have, that the FBI should have opened an investigation into Dr Ford’s claims.

“I submit that never, never in the history of background investigations has an investigation not been pursued when new, credible information is brought forward about a candidate,” Whitehouse says. “I don’t think this has ever happened in the history of FBI investigations. In my view, this is a great disservice to you.”

The comments irk Senator Grassley who, once again, defends the committee’s handling of Dr Ford’s allegations.

Protesters outside the hearing room watch the Ford testimony on a smartphone.
Protesters outside the hearing room watch the Ford testimony on a smartphone. Photograph: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Updated

We’re back and Republican Senator John Cornyn hands over to Rachel Mitchell.

Mitchell is asking Dr Ford about the different dates of the alleged assault she gave to a reporter at the Washington Post, mid 1980s, compared with her letter to Senator Dianne Feinstein in the early 1980s. She doesn’t ask for any elaboration, only confirmation.

Again, Mitchell’s five minutes are up. The questions are handed to Democratic senator Sheldon Whitehouse.

Updated

Just before Dr Ford was sworn in to testify Democratic Senator Kamala Harris sent an important messages to other survivors of sexual assault who may be watching this hearing and reliving their trauma.

We’re reposting that below:

I’m going to repost that powerful exchange between Senator Leahy and Dr Ford, which will likely dominate cable news in the aftermath of this hearing. It’s a chilling, detailed description of Dr Ford’s recollection of Brett Kavanaugh and Mark Judge allegedly laughing at her during the assault.

While Dr Ford has insisted throughout her powerful testimony that she is not seeking to influence any partisan political agenda, it seems that some people watching on Fox News do not believe her.

The committee is now taking a 15-minute break.

Updated

Ford: '100%' certain Brett Kavanaugh assaulted me

Democrat Dick Durbin is next up. He lauds Dr Ford’s courage for coming forward to testify and then moves onto to the pivotal issue of Kavanaugh’s defence. The judge is expected to say in his opening remarks that he has never had a physical or sexual encounter with Dr Ford, but does not rule out that she may have been sexually assaulted, essentially suggesting that the episode is a case of mistaken identity.

Durbin asks: “With what degree of certainty to believe Brett Kavanaugh assaulted you?”

Calmly, and resolutely Dr Ford replies: “100%.”

She then describes an encounter she says she had with Mark Judge at a supermarket weeks after the alleged attack.

“He was nervous and not wanting to speak with me. He looked a little bit ill.”

Updated

Mitchell continues her line of questioning, this time taking up the five minutes.

She asks a few specific questions about the noise levels at the gathering and then asks Dr Ford to recall how she got home on the evening of the alleged incident. Again, her five minutes pass by before the line of questioning is complete.

A number of reporters are beginning to question the effectiveness of the Republican’s use of the outside counsel:

Updated

Ford's vivid memory was 'them having fun at my expense'

Senator Patrick Leahy uses his five minutes to ask Dr Ford what her most vivid memory of the alleged assault is. In a powerful, composed response she describes the “uproarious laughter” of Kavanaugh and his friend Mark Judge who was also allegedly present during the assault. “And them having fun at my expense.”

“They were laughing with each other,” she says. “Two friends having a really good time with one another.”

Updated

Ford describes Kavanaugh and Mark Judge as 'extremely inebriated'

Republican senator Orrin Hatch hands his questions over to Mitchell. She continues her line of questioning, going straight to the night Dr Ford alleged she was assaulted.

“Had you had anything to drink?” Mitchell asks.

“Not at all,” Ford says.

“Were you on any medication?” Mitchell continues.

“None at all,” Ford responds.

Mitchell then asks Ford to describe the atmosphere at the party.

“Mr Kavanaugh and Mr Judge were extremely inebriated. And other people were not,” Ford recalls. She says the party was not really a party at all, more of a gathering.

“I recall that it was a sparsely furnished, fairly modest living room. I assumed it was going to lead to a party later on. It was kind of a “pre-gathering”.

Mitchell’s five minutes are up again.

Ford is sworn in to testify.
Ford is sworn in to testify. Photograph: POOL/Reuters

Updated

'Absolutely not' a case of mistaken identity, says Ford

Dr Ford then goes into details of how she was hounded by reporters after her letter was delivered to Senator Feinstein. She says reporters descended on her home, and another went to one of her graduate classes.

Feinstein ends by asking her to confirm that her memory of the assault, and in particular, Kavanaugh as the alleged assailant was still clear. She confirms it is.

“This could not be a case of mistaken identity?” Feinstein asks.

“Absolutely not,” Ford responds.

Updated

Ford describes 'anxiety, phobia and PTSD symptoms'

Feinstein asks Dr Ford about the trauma symptoms she’s endured since the alleged attack. She describes them as: “Anxiety, phobia, and PTSD symptoms”. She adds she has experienced claustrophobia as well.

She says that she experienced most trauma in the four years immediately after the alleged attack. “I struggled academically, I struggled in college forming new friendships, especially new friendships with boys.”

Ford describes the symptoms of trauma following the alleged attack.
Ford describes the symptoms of trauma following the alleged attack. Photograph: Reuters

Updated

And already Grassley’s five minutes of questions are up and he hands over to Feinstein.

Dr Ford was not asked any substantive questions during that exchange, but it’s likely Mitchell will return to her line of questioning after Feinstein’s five minutes are up.

Rachel Mitchell begins questions

Senator Grassley hands his five minutes of questions over to appointed counsel Rachel Mitchell.

Mitchell begins by showing Dr Ford a series of messages she sent to a reporter at the Washington Post and then displays the original letter she sent to Diane Feinstein’s office.

Dr Ford is taking her time to re-read these exhibits, to check them for accuracy.

Rachel Mitchell, the prosecutor from Arizona.
Rachel Mitchell, the prosecutor from Arizona. Photograph: Reuters

Updated

Before questioning begins, my colleague Sabrina Siddiqui sends this quick analysis on the opening remarks by Senator Grassley and Feinstein:

Chuck Grassley, the chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, kicked off the hearing under a tense atmosphere that was amplified by the underlying political implications of the moment.

Although he called for “a fair and respectful hearing”, Grassley swiftly struck a partisan tone by accusing Democrats of engaging in tactics designed to delay consideration of Kavanaugh’s nomination.

Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, went on a lengthy tirade about the process by which Ford’s allegations were brought to light. Grassley also noted the FBI had conducted several background checks on Kavanaugh to date, stating: “Nowhere in any of these six FBI reports, which committee investigators have reviewed on a bipartisan basis, was there ever a whiff of any issue – at all – related in any way to inappropriate sexual behavior.”

He went on to suggest his Democratic counterpart on the committee, Senator Dianne Feinstein, had withheld Ford’s allegations as “secret evidence”.

Grassley’s comments were quickly condemned as an example of the GOP’s refusal to take seriously the allegations at hand.

“Right now, @ChuckGrassley is actually comparing the trauma of what has happened to Dr. Christine Blasey Ford to the protests that have inconvenienced Brett Kavanaugh out of an easy confirmation for a huge promotion. This hearing is a disgrace,” NARAL, a pro-choice group, tweeted.

White House correspondent Brian Karem tweeted: “The inability for Chuck Grassley to understand why sexual assault victims haven’t come forward during 6 FBI background checks speaks to the entire issue - privilege does not understand that of which it has no experience.”

Feinstein pushed back on Grassley’s characterizations, stating she had sought to handle Ford’s allegations in a manner that would honor her initial request for confidentiality. As Feinstein attempted to introduce Ford and also detail the other allegations against Kavanaugh, she was interrupted by Grassley, who scolded her for bringing up the other accusers.

“I’m sorry you brought up other unsubstantiated allegations,” Grassley said. “We’ll consider other issues at other times.”

Feinstein spent much of her opening remarks seeking to frame Ford’s allegations in the context of the #MeToo movement.

“Too often, women’s memories and credibility come under assault. In essence, they are put on trial and forced to defend themselves and often re-victimized in the process,” Feinstein said.

“What I find most inexcusable is this rush to judgement, the unwillingness to take these kinds of allegations at face value and look at them for what they are,” she added. “A real question of character for someone who is asking for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court.”

Updated

Ford: 'My responsibility is to tell the truth'

Dr Ford ends her composed, powerful opening statement with the following:

My motivation in coming forward was to provide the facts about how Mr Kavanaugh’s actions have damaged my life, so that you can take that into serious consideration as you make your decision about how to proceed. It is not my responsibility to determine whether Mr Kavanaugh deserves to sit on the supreme court. My responsibility is to tell the truth.

Ford: ‘My responsibility is to tell the truth.’
Ford: ‘My responsibility is to tell the truth.’ Photograph: Joshua Roberts/Reuters

Updated

Dr Ford is now talking about the recent weeks leading up to today’s hearing. She describes the anxiety she went through and how she changed her mind a number of times about whether to take her allegations public:

As the hearing date [Kavanaugh’s] got closer, I struggled with a terrible choice: Do I share the facts with the Senate and put myself and my family in the public spotlight? Or do I preserve our privacy and allow the Senate to make its decision on Mr. Kavanaugh’s nomination without knowing the full truth about his past behavior? I agonized daily with this decision throughout August and early September 2018.

The sense of duty that motivated me to reach out confidentially to The Washington Post, Representative Eshoo’s office, and Senator Feinstein’s office was always there, but my fears of the consequences of speaking out started to increase. During August 2018, the press reported that Mr. Kavanaugh’s confirmation was virtually certain.

His allies painted him as a champion of women’s rights and empowerment. I believed that if I came forward, my voice would be drowned out by a chorus of powerful supporters. By the time of the confirmation hearings, I had resigned myself to remaining quiet and letting the Committee and the Senate make their decision without knowing what Mr. Kavanaugh had done to me.

She continues:

During August 2018, the press reported that Mr. Kavanaugh’s confirmation was virtually certain. His allies painted him as a champion of women’s rights and empowerment. I believed that if I came forward, my voice would be drowned out by a chorus of powerful supporters. By the time of the confirmation hearings, I had resigned myself to remaining quiet and letting the Committee and the Senate make their decision without knowing what Mr. Kavanaugh had done to me.

Dr Ford now describes how and why she decided to tell the Senate about the allegations after his nomination to the supreme court was announced:

I was conflicted about whether to speak out.

On July 9, I received a call from the office of Congresswoman Anna Eshoo after Mr Kavanaugh had become the nominee. I met with her staff on July 11 and with her on July 13, describing the assault and discussing my fear about coming forward. Later, we discussed the possibility of sending a letter to Ranking Member Feinstein, who is one of my state’s senators, describing what occurred.

My understanding is that Representative Eshoo’s office delivered a copy of my letter to Senator Feinstein’s office on July 30, 2018. The letter included my name, but requested that the letter be kept confidential.

Updated

'Talking about it caused more reliving of the trauma'

Dr Ford moves on to describing how memories of the the alleged assault plagued her into adulthood. She talks about who she shared details of it with following a 2012 therapy session where she first spoke it again:

I recall saying that the boy who assaulted me could someday be on the US supreme court and spoke a bit about his background. My husband recalls that I named my attacker as Brett Kavanaugh. After that May 2012 therapy session, I did my best to suppress memories of the assault because recounting the details caused me to relive the experience, and caused panic attacks and anxiety.

Occasionally I would discuss the assault in an individual therapy, but talking about it caused more reliving of the trauma, so I tried not to think about it or discuss it. But over the years, I went through periods where I thought about Brett’s attack. I confided in some close friends that I had an experience with sexual assault.

Occasionally I stated that my assailant was a prominent lawyer or judge but I did not use his name.

Ford: ‘I confided in some close friends that I had an experience with sexual assault.’
Ford: ‘I confided in some close friends that I had an experience with sexual assault.’ Photograph: Win McNamee/Getty Images

Updated

'Brett's assault on me drastically altered my life'

Dr Ford continues:

Brett’s assault on me drastically altered my life. For a very long time, I was too afraid and ashamed to tell anyone the details. I did not want to tell my parents that I, at age 15, was in a house without any parents present, drinking beer with boys. I convinced myself that because Brett did not rape me, I should be able to move on and just pretend that it had never happened. Over the years, I told very, very few friends that I had this traumatic experience. I told my husband before we were married that I had experienced a sexual assault. I had never told the details to anyone until May 2012, during a couples counseling session.

Updated

Ford: 'I believed he was going to rape me'

Ford continues, giving details of the evening she says she was sexually assaulted by Kavanaugh. She takes her time, her voice cracking on occasion:

Brett groped me and tried to take off my clothes. He had a hard time because he was so drunk, and because I was wearing a one-piece bathing suit under my clothes. I believed he was going to rape me. I tried to yell for help. When I did, Brett put his hand over my mouth to stop me from screaming. This was what terrified me the most, and has had the most lasting impact on my life. It was hard for me to breathe, and I thought that Brett was accidentally going to kill me.

Updated

Ford speaks: 'It is my civic duty to tell you what happened'

Christine Blasey Ford is now reading her opening her remarks. Before she begins, she tells Grassley: “I anticipate needing some caffeine if that’s available” after reading her opening remarks.

“I am here today not because I want to be. I am terrified. I am here because I believe it is my civic duty to tell you what happened to me while Brett Kavanaugh and I were in high school,” she says.

Christine Blasey Ford: ‘I am here today not because I want to be.’
Christine Blasey Ford: ‘I am here today not because I want to be.’ Photograph: Reuters

Updated

Feinstein: 'The entire country is watching'

Feinstein continues: “The entire country is watching how we handle these allegations.”

“We are here for one reason to determine whether Judge Kavanaugh should be elevated to one of the powerful positions in this country.”

Updated

Feinstein has also moved towards partisan criticism, pointing to the historic parallels between Republican’s treatment of Dr Ford and that of Professor Anita Hill in 1991.

“In 1991 Republicans belittled Anita Hill’s experience... the burden of proof was on Prof Hill. Today our Republican colleagues are declaring, ‘This is is a hiccup’,” she says.

She adds that some Republicans have already indicated they will vote to confirm Kavanaugh without hearing a word from Dr Ford.

“[Some have said] the Senate will plough right through and ensure Judge Kavanaugh will be confirmed,” she says.

Updated

Ranking Democrat Dianne Feinstein is now making opening remarks. She moves to rebut some of the partisan criticism leveled at her by Grassley, who argued she delayed sending details of Ford’s allegations to the committee.

She says she handled Ford’s letter with extreme care due to the sensitivity of the allegations.

She says: “How women are treated in the United States with this kind of concern is really wanting a lot of reform.”

She then thanks Dr Ford for “coming forward and being willing to share your story with us”. She introduces Ford to the committee, as Grassley forgot to do so in his opening remarks. “When I saw your CV I was extremely impressed,” she says of Ford’s academic credentials.

Feinstein heralds her “strength and bravery in coming forward.” She adds: “I know it’s hard.”

Dianne Feinstein with Chuck Grassley to her left.
Dianne Feinstein with Chuck Grassley to her left. Photograph: Andrew Harnik/AP

Updated

Grassley: 'I look forward to a fair and respectful hearing'

Grassley defends his decision not to refer Ford’s allegations to the FBI to investigate. He says: “Now it’s up to the senate to assess their credibility.”

He adds: “I look forward to a fair and respectful hearing.”

Once again, Grassley moves to lambast his Democrats on the committee, defending his decision to introduce an expert counsel to question Ford.

“This will be a stark contrast to the grandstanding chaos we saw from the other side,” he says of Mitchell’s appointment.

Updated

After striking a conciliatory tone towards Kavanaugh and Ford, Grassley moves almost instantly to attacking his Democratic colleagues on the committee. He accuses Dianne Feinstein, the ranking Democrat who initially received Ford’s letter, of bringing the allegations to the attention of the committee at “the eleventh hour”. He then lambasts Democrats for allegedly making Ford’s allegations public.

“This is a shameful way to treat our witness who insisted on confidentiality,” he says. He then accuses Democrats of blocking the committees own investigation: “Every step of the way the Democratic side refused to take part in what should have been a bipartisan investigation.”

Chuck Grassley, the committee chairman.
Chuck Grassley, the committee chairman. Photograph: Win McNamee/Pool/EPA

Updated

Senate judiciary committee chair Chuck Grassley brings the session to order. He thanks Kavanaugh and Ford for appearing before the committee.

He says that both “they and their families have received vile threats” which are “unacceptable and a poor reflection on the state of civility in our democracy.”

“I want to apologize to both of you for the treatment you’ve received,” he says.

Updated

Christine Blasey Ford has entered the room, flanked by her legal team, taking her seat at the witness table she appears calm and composed as the sound of clicking cameras fills the room.

Christine Blasey Ford on Thursday.
Christine Blasey Ford on Thursday. Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Updated

A lawyer for Deborah Ramirez, another woman who accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct after Ford’s allegations went public, sent this powerful message from his client:

We’re about 10 minutes away from the start of proceedings. Rachel Mitchell, the Arizona prosecutor appointed by Republicans to lead the questioning, has arrived in the room.

Meanwhile there’s still a large queue outside for seating in the public viewing area:

Last night, both Ford and Kavanaugh released their opening statements to the committee. While there’s no time limit placed on either of their appearances before the committee, we know that Ford will testify first.

During negotiations with the committee, Ford’s lawyers had asked for their client to testify second to enable her to rebut Kavanaugh. It appears that request was blocked by committee chairman Chuck Grassley.

Here are few extracts from both opening statements:

Ford:

On the reasons she is testifying:

I am here today not because I want to be. I am terrified. I am here because I believe it is my civic duty to tell you what happened to me while Brett Kavanaugh and I were in high school. I have described the events publicly before.

On the night she accuses Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her:

I truly wish I could provide detailed answers to all of the questions that have been and will be asked about how I got to the party, where it took place, and so forth. I don’t have all the answers, and I don’t remember as much as I would like to. But the details about that night that bring me here today are ones I will never forget. They have been seared into my memory and have haunted me episodically as an adult.

On the trauma she still experiences:

...I did my best to suppress memories of the assault because recounting the details caused me to relive the experience, and caused panic attacks and anxiety. Occasionally I would discuss the assault in individual therapy, but talking about it caused me to relive the trauma, so I tried not to think about it or discuss it. But over the years, I went through periods where I thought about Brett’s attack

Her full statement is available to read here.

Kavanaugh:

His denial:

Eleven days ago, Dr. Ford publicly accused me of committing a serious wrong more than 36 years ago when we were both in high school. I denied the allegation immediately, unequivocally, and categorically. The next day, I told this Committee that I wanted to testify as soon as possible, under oath, to clear my name.

On his behaviour as a teenager:

...I was not perfect in those days, just as I am not perfect today. I drank beer with my friends, usually on weekends. Sometimes I had too many. In retrospect, I said and did things in high school that make me cringe now. But that’s not why we are here today. What I’ve been accused of is far more serious than juvenile misbehavior. I never did anything remotely resembling what Dr. Ford describes.

His full statement is available to read here.

As Lauren has mentioned, a key dynamic in this hearing is going to the performance of the Republican appointed counsel, Rachel Mitchell. All 11 Republicans on the judiciary committee are men. Four out of the 10 Democrats on the committee, including ranking member Dianne Feinstein, are women.

A number of the Republicans were also present on the committee in 1991 when law professor Anita Hill’s testified over sexual harassment allegations against conservative Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas. Thomas was eventually confirmed to the court - in a 52-48 vote - but Republicans will be keen to avoid the optics of Hill’s testimony from decades ago, where she faced a hostile interrogation for hours before an all male panel.

The Associated Press have a little more background on Mitchell here:

Look for a new face in Washington to take a high profile at the proceedings at the behest of Senate Republicans. She is Rachel Mitchell, a Republican from Arizona with decades of experience prosecuting sex crimes.

Mitchell works in the Maricopa County attorney’s office in Phoenix as the chief of the special victims division. She supervises attorneys who handle cases involving child molestation, sexual assault and computer crimes against children in Arizona’s most populous county.

My colleague Lauren Gambino has filed this report on the unique format of today’s hearing and what’s at stake for both sides:

Each senator will have five minutes to question each witness. There are only two witnesses: Ford and Kavanaugh. Ford will testify first followed by Kavanaugh.

The all-male panel of Republicans have hired Rachel Mitchell, an experienced sex crimes prosecutor and are expected to defer their allotted time to her to question both witnesses. Democrats are expected to ask questions of both Ford and Kavanaugh, though they could request that their time be shared with another senator or the prosecutor.

Republicans have tried to make this into a trial. Kavanaugh, they say, should be afforded the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. But in this approach, it’s unclear who is “on trial”. Is it Ford or Kavanaugh — both?

Hiring a prosecutor helps them make the case that this is trial. Mitchell, very much a wildcard in this hearing, has spent her career going after sex criminals and would be the one person capable of getting to the bottom of this. As Ford cannot remember key details such as exactly where and when the alleged incident took place it makes “proving” anything nearly impossible and in the legal sense really leaves only one outcome: Kavanaugh is “acquitted.”

Democrats instead want this to be a “job interview”. Ford is definitely not on trial, they’ve stressed and Kavanaugh is very much in the hot seat to prove that he is fit for a life time appointment to the Supreme Court. In the sense, all they have to do is raise enough doubt about his fitness.

How this plays out depends a lot on how Ford and Kavanaugh appear — whether they seem credible and believable. It will also depend on how they are questioned. If Mitchell is viewed as fair and even-handed, Republicans will avoid the specter of the Anita Hill hearing. There’s risk for Democrats too if they overstep or grandstand.

Updated

In the days leading up to this hearing president Donald Trump has stood behind his nominee, describing him on Twitter as a “fine man, with an impeccable reputation”. Trump had repeatedly called into question the trustworthiness of Ford and the other women accusing Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct but, on Wednesday, appeared to slightly soften his support.

During a rambling press conference at the United Nations acknowledged that accusations of sexual misconduct leveled against him affect his views on charges against other men.

“It’s happened to me many times,” the president said, claiming he’d been falsely accused by “four or five women.” (Trump was in fact accused of sexual misconduct by over a dozen women before the presidential election in 2016.)

But he also said Ford’s testimony, and the accounts of other accusers could prompt him to change course. “It’s possible that I’ll hear that and I’ll say I’m changing my mind,” Trump said.

Protesters in the Hart Senate Office Building.
Protesters in the Hart Senate Office Building. Photograph: Chet Strange/AFP/Getty Images

Updated

Hello and welcome

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the crucial Senate judiciary committee hearing in Washington DC.

Dr Christine Blasey Ford, a professor at Palo Alto University, is due to testify before the committee at 10am ET. Ford has accused Donald Trump’s supreme court nominee, Judge Brett Kavanaugh, of sexually assaulting her at a high school party in the early 1980s.

The outcome of this hearing is likely to determine whether Kavanaugh’s promotion to the highest court in America is successful. If the judge, a staunch conservative, is placed on the nine-person body, it will probably swing the ideological makeup of the court to the right, potentially for years to come.

Dr Ford is set to talk in public for the first time after days of negotiations between her lawyers and the Republican-controlled committee, over the setting, timing and format of her testimony.

Since Ford’s allegations were made public, two other women – Julie Swetnick and Deborah Ramirez – have come forward to publicly accuse Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct during the early 1980s as well.

Neither of these women is scheduled to appear today, but Kavanaugh will testify after Ford. He has denied all the allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

We’ll bring you all the background we can before things get under way in just over an hour.

Updated

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