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Trump’s conduct ‘appalling’, Republican senators say

US Republicans have displayed their division over Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, after President Donald Trump openly mocked his accuser, Christine Blasey Ford.

Senators Jeff Flake, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski – moderate Republicans who could be pivotal in determining whether the Senate confirms Mr Kavanaugh – slammed Mr Trump’s mocking imitation of Dr Ford’s testimony as “appalling”.

“I wish he hadn’t done it,” Mr Flake told NBC.

“I just say it’s kind of appalling.”

Senator Flake was instrumental last week in getting Mr Trump to order an FBI investigation into the allegations against Mr Kavanaugh, after he was confronted in a lift by victims of sexual assault.

Imitating Dr Ford’s testimony to laughter from the audience at a campaign rally in Mississippi this week, Mr Trump said: “What neighbourhood was it in? I don’t know. Where’s the house? I don’t know. Upstairs, downstairs, where was it? I don’t know. But I had one beer. That’s the only thing I remember.

“And a man’s life is in tatters.”

Senator Collins – who is yet to declare how she will vote on Mr Kavanaugh’s appointment – said “the President’s comments were just plain wrong”.

Asked whether Mr Trump’s comments would affect her vote, Senator Murkowski said: “I am taking everything into account. The President’s comments yesterday mocking Dr Ford were wholly inappropriate and, in my view, unacceptable.”

donald trump ford kavanaugh

Donald Trump among the faithful at the campaign rally in Mississippi. Photo: Getty

 

Mr Flake told NBC “there’s no time and no place for remarks like that, that discuss something this sensitive at a political rally … It’s kind of appalling.”

Some Trump allies have also spoken out against the President’s comments. Republican senator Lindsey Graham said that while he “didn’t particularly like” the comments, he slammed Democrats for their treatment of Mr Kavanaugh.

“President Trump went through a factual rendition that I didn’t particularly like and I would tell him ‘knock it off. You’re not helping’,” he said.

“I’m the first person to say I want to hear from Dr Ford. I thought she was handled respectfully. I thought Kavanaugh was treated like crap.”

In a Twitter post, Mr Trump did not back away from his rally comments, instead attacking Mr Kavanaugh’s Democrat critics.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders also defended Mr Trump, telling a media briefing he was not concerned his comments might have endangered the votes of key senators.

“The President was stating the facts,” Ms Sanders said.

“Every single word Mr Kavanaugh has said has been picked apart … yet if anybody says anything about the accusations that have been thrown against him, that’s totally off limits and outrageous.”

Mr Trump’s fellow Republicans control the Senate by a 51-49 margin.

That means if all the Democrats vote against Mr Kavanaugh, Mr Trump cannot afford to have more than one Republican oppose his nominee, with Vice President Mike Pence casting a tie-breaking vote.

So far, no Republicans have said publicly they will vote against Mr Kavanaugh.

The FBI’s report on the sexual misconduct allegations against Mr Kavanaugh will be delivered to the US Senate today or tomorrow (US time), ahead of the vote.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor on Wednesday “we will not be intimidated” by opponents who have tried to derail the nomination.

“It’s time to put this sickening display behind us,” the Republican said. “The Senate will vote on this nomination this week.”

Mr Kavanaugh has denied Dr Ford’s accusations, as well as allegations by two other women, all dating from the 1980s.

-with agencies

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