A recent report released by Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has revealed significant interference by the Trump administration in the FBI’s investigation into sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his 2018 confirmation process. The allegations, made by Christine Blasey Ford and Deborah Ramirez, involved incidents from Kavanaugh’s high school and college years.
The report, which is the result of a six-year investigation, found that the Trump administration and the FBI misled the public and the Senate about the extent of the investigation. Despite claims by President Donald Trump that the FBI had “free rein” to investigate, the agency was tightly controlled by the White House, limiting the scope of the inquiry. The investigation was restricted to interviewing only a handful of witnesses and did not include key figures such as Ford, Ramirez, or Kavanaugh himself.
The investigation was criticized for its lack of thoroughness, with the FBI failing to pursue corroborating evidence and ignoring tips received through its tip line, which were instead forwarded directly to the White House. This manipulation allowed the Trump administration to provide political cover for Senate Republicans and facilitate Kavanaugh’s confirmation. The report highlights that at least eight senators referenced the FBI’s conclusion of “no corroborating evidence” when casting their votes in favor of Kavanaugh’s confirmation.
Senator Whitehouse emphasized that the supplemental background investigation was a “sham” controlled by the Trump White House to protect Kavanaugh’s nomination. He noted that the lack of FBI investigative standards thwarted a meaningful investigation, denying senators the information they needed to fulfill their constitutional duties.
The report also details the obstacles faced by Whitehouse and his team, including delays and incomplete responses from the executive branch. Even after the Biden administration took office, cooperation remained evasive, with the White House, FBI, and Justice Department deflecting senators’ inquiries for more than three years.
