A visibly irritated Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Thursday voiced his doubts about Dr. Christine Blasey Fords accusations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. He also implied that her accusations have been falsified by Democrats to derail Kavanaughs nomination, and threatened future Democratic Supreme Court nominees they would be at risk for the same.
Let me tell you my Democratic friends, Graham said, if this is the new norm, you better watch out for your nominees.
During a break in Fords testimony, Graham spoke to a gaggle of reporters in the Senate. In response to a question about whether he thought some of his Republican colleagues might vote against Kavanaughs confirmation to the Supreme Court following Fords testimony, Graham said angrily that his colleagues should be highly skeptical of Fords accusations. He then warned Democrats that if Kavanaughs nomination fails, Republicans will create false accusations of sexual assault against Democrats future Supreme Court nominees.
To my Republican colleagues, he said, if you can ignore everything in this record, look at an allegation thats 35 years old, thats uncertain in time, place, date, and no corroborationif thats enough for you, God help us all as Republicans. Because this happens to us. It never happens to them.
Minutes later, reporters tweeted about an interaction Graham had in a Senate elevator with a woman who told him she was a rape victim. Graham responded with a curt Im sorry and told her to go to police.
In recent days, Graham has repeatedly voiced doubts about Fords account. On Fox News on Sunday, he asked, What am I supposed to do? Go ahead and ruin this guys life based on an accusation? Graham added he thought Ford was being used as a political pawn. This accusation is 36 years old. I dont know when it happened or where it happened. And all the people who have been named say it didnt happen.
Last week, he was also criticized for saying to a Washington Post reporter of Ford, who has a doctorate and is a college professor, Ill listen to the lady, but were going to bring this to a close.