WH Authorizes FBI To Expand Scope Of Probe, As Long As Finished By End Of Week

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 09: U.S. President Donald Trump introduces U.S. Circuit Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh as his nominee to the United States Supreme Court during an event in the East Room of the White House July 9, 2018 in Washington, DC. Pending confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Judge Kavanaugh would succeed Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy, 81, who is retiring after 30 years of service on the high court. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 09: U.S. President Donald Trump introduces U.S. Circuit Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh as his nominee to the United States Supreme Court during an event in the East Room of the White House July 9, 201... WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 09: U.S. President Donald Trump introduces U.S. Circuit Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh as his nominee to the United States Supreme Court during an event in the East Room of the White House July 9, 2018 in Washington, DC. Pending confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Judge Kavanaugh would succeed Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy, 81, who is retiring after 30 years of service on the high court. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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The White House has given the FBI permission to expand the scope of its probe into sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, as long as the investigation is finished by the end of the week, The New York Times reported Monday. 

NBC News’ subsequently confirmed the White House’s authorization.

According to two people briefed on the matter who spoke to the Times, the directive gives the FBI the ability to interview “anyone it deems necessary,” in the Times’ words. The White House was reportedly attempting to stifle the investigation by, among other things, limiting which accusers the FBI interviewed and prohibiting the bureau from talking to former classmates who might dispute Kavanaugh’s claims that he wasn’t a heavy drinker.

Trump indicated during a press conference on Monday that he wanted to probe to be “comprehensive,” but “guided by what the senators are looking for.”

This post has been updated.

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  1. Does that mean it can include Donnie, too?

    About friggin’ time…

  2. Avatar for j.dave j.dave says:

    And if they say they’re not done by the end of the week, good luck closing those floodgates …

  3. internal polling … " uh oh ! " —

  4. Who’s calling the shots? Trump pr McGahn? I’m not at all certain the FBI will be able to follow all the leads. It’s up to the Senate? Is McConnell in charge. What kind of investigation the FBI will be allowed to do still looks fuzzy to me.

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