The FBI “investigation” into sexual assault allegations against Brett Kavanaugh is barely skimming the surface of potential witnesses, and that’s not all. Natasha Bertrand reports that “the probe has not been expanded to include a deeper examination of Kavanaugh’s drinking habits and whether he perjured himself before Congress, and agents don’t have the freedom to pursue leads on their own.” The question of whether Kavanaugh perjured himself repeatedly speaks to his credibility and his drinking habits speak to the reliability of his memories of events as well as, according to several of his college friends, the likelihood that he would be aggressive, so these are significant questions in a sexual assault investigation.
But the FBI is not calling the shots here.
“I sense a degree of frustration inside” the bureau “with the public’s expectation that the FBI is conducting a full-court press when they’re not being permitted to do so,” [former FBI assistant director for counterintelligence Frank] Figliuzzi says. There is also “increasing concern that the White House and Senate will use the FBI as an excuse to say, ‘This has been fully investigated,’” when it actually hasn’t been. It is not conceivable, moreover, that the bureau has decided to ignore walk-ins and calls made to tip lines, Figliuzzi says. [...] But, he added, “the White House is still tightly controlling this investigation” in a way that may preclude agents from pursuing tips.
This is an FBI under assault from the White House and congressional Republicans, and it’s trying to shield itself by following orders here, even though the orders are to conduct an incomplete investigation for political reasons. Republicans didn’t want an investigation at all. Backed into a corner on that, they’ve made sure it won’t be a serious investigation.
We have to fight tooth and nail to keep this party from continuing to control the Senate. Can you give $3 to elect Democrats in Nevada and Texas?