While no agreement was reached on the details of a possible Christine Blasey Ford testimony — or if it will even happen — lawyers for the professor who’s accused Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault outlined their client’s testimony conditions to members of the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday evening, Politico reported.
According to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Politico, Blasey Ford’s lawyers, Debra Katz and Lisa Banks, asked the committee for a hearing on Thursday of next week and requested that Kavanaugh testify first, a move that Republicans will likely not concede to, Politico noted. Blasey Ford also indicated she wanted to be questioned by lawmakers and not an outside counsel; she asked for just one camera in the room; and, given an onslaught of death threats she’s received, she asked for some form of a security detail.
The call was “positive” despite both parties’ failure to reach an agreement and Katz cancelled scheduled media appearances after the discussion. Republicans were reportedly encouraged by that move, according to Politico.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is planning to meet with committee Republicans and his staff to determine how to proceed, Politico reported.
While Republicans on the Judiciary Committee had originally planned to hold a hearing with testimony from Kavanaugh and Blasey Ford on Monday, Blasey Ford demurred on Wednesday and requested the FBI investigate the alleged sexual assault before she spoke with the committee.
