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In almost forty years of broadcasting and writing, I’ve spent a lot of time tracking the fates of the Republican and Democrat parties. In recent years, the main conservative thirsts have been for a more muscular and unapologetic conservatism and for the bright light of truth to be directed onto the darkest habits of modern leftists.
The election of Donald Trump has propelled us down a road featuring satisfying helpings of both. But on one stunning day, September 27, 2018, there arose Republican resolve like nothing in recent memory. The accompanying reputational suicide of several key Democrats tied a bow around a historic day for clarity.
The occasion was the totally unnecessary session of testimony by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and his main accuser of sexual misbehavior, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. The occasion was needless because Dr. Ford’s story in no way rises to the level of credibility to dislodge the nomination. No decent society smears people for life based on high school misbehavior, so even if the wholly unsupported story were true, there would have been a strong argument against its relevancy today.
Nonetheless, there we were, a nation bathed in the glow of TV screens for a day that began with Dr. Ford’s compelling testimony. But the poised delivery of her story in no way increased its credibility. Only evidence can do that, and none arose to bolster her claim of a sexual assault at Kavanaugh’s hands.
For Kavanaugh’s part, he sat down with a bolder countenance than we saw on his understated Fox News interview. Flashing irritation reminiscent of Clarence Thomas’s 1991 excoriation of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he delivered an opening statement that doubled down on his already established denials, expanding to include special disfavor for the discredited tales woven by a New Yorker article and showboat attorney Michael Avenatti.
The questioning of Dr. Ford became unsettling for Kavanaugh supporters, as the seemingly wise decision to outsource questions to a female attorney seemed to sputter. This was not Rachel Mitchell’s fault; she was merely occupying what would have been the normal rotation of Republican senators, whose maleness was a disqualifier in an era where gender means more than truth.
As such, the rhythm became: five minutes of Ms. Mitchell poking through questions of fact and memory, interrupted by five minutes of Democrat grandstanding. Then five more minutes of Ms. Mitchell seeming to inch closer to a salient point, only to be buzzered by the need to recognize the next round of Democrat fawning and prattling.
At intermission, some conservative shoulders slumped. Democrats took full advantage of their spotlight moments, while the Republicans landed hardly a glove on a narrative they had spent a week doubting.
But it was important to remember: the audience for Dr. Ford’s questioning was ostensibly not the nation at large or even the GOP base, but rather the handful of Senators who will ultimately hold Kavanaugh’s fate. Maybe the understated pinpricks Mitchell had placed in the story would be enough, without carrying the downside of coming down too heavily on a sympathetic witness.
But as soon as Judge Kavanaugh completed his opening statement, it became clear what the afternoon matinee would contain: Republicans showing more spine than they have in years, accompanied by Democrats making total asses of themselves.
This is what Kavanaugh’s riveting certitude did to both sides. It energized Republicans to solidly back the judge, and additionally inspired them to call out committee Democrats for the shameful scam they have deployed to poison the nomination process.
There had been a question at daybreak as to whether Dr. Ford would cry— she came close—but little speculation that Judge Kavanaugh would well up. But when he did, in describing his teenage calendar habit as an inspiration from his father, it cleared the decks for other halting moments, as when he shared what his family has been through at the hands of his tormentors.
When their time came to badger Judge Kavanaugh, the Democrat decisions to obsess about a useless FBI probe or leer over arcane references in his high school yearbook made them look microscopically small. And when the rotation turned to Orrin Hatch, John Cornyn and the consummately inspired Lindsey Graham, the tide had turned completely. America went to lunch wondering about Kavanaugh’s fate but had to wonder if he might be confirmed by dinner.
The weekend will dictate the path toward Judge Kavanaugh’s fate. Any Republicans still wondering about his worthiness need to have their heads examined. There may even be Democrats up for re-election in Trump states rethinking the “no” votes that seemed defensible just days ago.
No matter how the judge’s fate unfolds, history will well remember Lindsey Graham’s fiery rebuke of Democrats for the behavior they have displayed for decades. Is this a long overdue reckoning that will change their behavior? That seems unlikely as the midterms approach and 2020 looms. But if Cory Booker and Kamala Harris think they boosted their stock for the presidency, they may soon learn otherwise.
Compactly contained within one day witnessed by millions, we saw Democrat behavior so unhinged and repulsive that Republicans finally came out of their shells and called them on it. It was glorious.
The confirmation of Kavanaugh is now a moral necessity—so that a good man’s reputation can be restored, rules of basic decency upheld, and viciously craven political tactics dealt the death blow they deserve.
Michael Avenatti/GettyJulie Swetnick and Brett Kavanaugh.
A Washington D.C. woman who is being represented by attorney Michael Avenatti has come forward to accuse Judge Brett Kavanaugh and his high school friend of taking part in gang rapes, including one that she was a victim of, when they were in high school in the 1980s. Avenatti identified the woman on Wednesday as Julie Swetnick.
The 55-year-old Swetnick released a sworn affidavit through Avenatti. “Below is my correspondence to Mr. Davis of moments ago, together with a sworn declaration from my client. We demand an immediate FBI investigation into the allegations. Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation,” Avenatti tweeted.
Below is my correspondence to Mr. Davis of moments ago, together with a sworn declaration from my client. We demand an immediate FBI investigation into the allegations. Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation.
Let me be clear: We will disclose the client’s name and accusations only when SHE is ready and we have adequate security measures in place. And not a moment before that. It is her choice and hers alone as to when to surface bc it is her life. We expect it within the next 36 hrs.
“We will disclose the client’s name and accusations only when SHE is ready and we have adequate security measures in place. And not a moment before that. It is her choice and hers alone as to when to surface (because) it is her life.”
Aveantti told Heavy Sunday night “This is only going to get worse” as he described why Kavanaugh would be better off withdrawing his nomination.
Kavanaugh denied knowing Swetnick and said her allegations were “from the Twilight Zone.”
The White House said it was “shocked” by Swetnick’s claims.
White House shocked by Avenatti claims. Privately aides involved in nomination saying “this could be end of the line” for Kavanugh, per outside adviser briefed on discussions.
“White House shocked by Avenatti claims. Privately aides involved in nomination saying ‘this could be end of the line’ for Kavanugh, per outside adviser briefed on discussions.”
Avenatti said: “This shows how incompetent the WH is. They must not have been paying attention the last 7 months. Guess their chief information sources are @FoxNews @TuckerCarlson and 4Chan.”
GRASSLEY tells me re: Avenatti: “Seems to me he wants to protect people involved in pornography and he’s running for president. I don’t know what his motivations are. ... but really what’s important here isn’t the lawyer ... [it’s] the woman who says she’s been harmed.”
And stunningly, just after 12 noon, Sen. Chuck Grassley, the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee committed to seeing Kavanaugh confirmed, told a reporter that Avenatti “Seems to me he wants to protect people involved in pornography and he’s running for president. I don’t know what his motivations are. … but really what’s important here isn’t the lawyer … [it’s] the woman who says she’s been harmed.”
President Donald Trump tweeted that “Avenatti is a third rate lawyer who is good at making false accusations, like he did on me and like he is now doing on Judge Brett Kavanaugh. He is just looking for attention and doesn’t want people to look at his past record and relationships – a total low-life!”
Avenatti is a third rate lawyer who is good at making false accusations, like he did on me and like he is now doing on Judge Brett Kavanaugh. He is just looking for attention and doesn’t want people to look at his past record and relationships - a total low-life!
Mark Judge has also denied the new allegations. His lawyer told CNN, Judge “vehemently denies the allegations contained in the Swetnik affidavit.”
Here’s what you need to know about Swetnick and her allegations:
1. Swetnick Says She Witnessed Brett Kavanaugh & Mark Judge Causing Girls to ‘Become Inebriated & Disoriented So They Could Then Be ‘Gang Raped’ & Says She Was a Victim in 1982 of a ‘Gang Rape’ Where Kavanaugh & Judge Were Present
GettyBrett Kavanaugh
Avenatti said he has evidence of gang rapes perpetrated by Kavanaugh, Mark Judge and others in Washington D.C. in the 1980s. In the affidavit released by Avenatti, Swentick says that she “witnessed efforts by Mark Judge, Brett Kavanaugh and others to cause girls to become inebriated and disoriented so they could then be ‘gang raped’ in a side room or bedroom by a ‘train’ of numerous boys. I have a firm recollection of seeing boys lined up outside rooms at many of these parties waiting for their ‘turn’ with a girl inside the room. These boys included Mark Judge and Brett Kavanaugh.”
Swetnick said she “attended well over 10 house parties in the Washington DC area during 1981 to 1983 were Mark Judge and Brett Kavanaugh were present. These parties were common occurrence in the area and occurred nearly every weekend during the school year.”
On numerous occasions at these parties, Kavanaugh and Judge, she said, would “drink excessively and engage in highly inappropriate conduct, including being overly aggressive with girls and not taking no for an answer. This contact into included the fondling and grabbing the girls without their consent.”
Punch would be spiked with drugs and “grain alcohol.” She said Kavanuagh, Judge and other teen boys would “target particular girls so they could be taken advantage of (and) it was usually a girl that was especially vulnerable because she was alone at the party.”
Swetnick said that in 1982, “I became the victim of one of these ‘gang’ or ‘train’ rapes where Mark Judge and Brett Kavanaugh were present. Shortly after the incident, I shared what had transpired with at least two other people. During the incident, I was incapacitated without my consent and unable to fight off the boys raping me. I believe I was drugged using Quaaludes or something similar placed in what I was drinking.”
You can read Julie Swetnick’s sworn affidavit below:
Avenatti said Sunday, “I represent a woman with credible information regarding Judge Kavanaugh and Mark Judge. We will be demanding the opportunity to present testimony to the committee and will likewise be demanding that Judge and others be subpoenaed to testify. The nomination must be withdrawn.”
He was contacted by the Judiciary Committee and responded with a claim of evidence and questions for Kavanaugh. He has not heard back from the Committee.
2. Swetnick Is From Maryland & Has Worked in the Government, Has Been Vetted Several Times & Has Security Clearances. She Talks About Incidents in Ocean City, MD in Her Sworn Affidavit
Julie Swetnick lives in Washington D.C. after living most of her life in Maryland, most recently in Bethesda. She has worked in the U.S. government in the past, including at the U.S. Mint and at the Department of Homeland Security.
She worked for the U.S. Mint from 2000 to 2104 where she was required to have security clearance. She worked as an IBM digital analyst, for Homeland Security as a senior web production manager, for the Department of Justice as a senior production webmaster, the Department of State in the same job, and previously at a number of public and private companies as a web project manager and web professional services engineer.
Swetnick has degrees from Montgomery College, the University of Maryland in astrophysics and computer science. She graduated from Gaithersburg High School.
In her sworn affidavit, Swetnick describes the parties as being not just in Washington D.C. but in Ocean City, Maryland. She said she has been told by “other women” about those beach parties and herself “witnessed” Kavanaugh and Judge involved in highly inappropriate conduct during the “Beach Week” party. She said that “observed Kavanaugh drink excessively many of these parties and engage in abusive and physically aggressive behavior towards girls, including pressing girls against him without their consent, grinding against girls and attempting to remove or shift girls’ clothing to expose private body parts. I likewise observed him verbally abusive towards girls by making crude sexual comments to them that we designed to demean, humiliate and embarrass them. I often witnessed Brett Kavanaugh speak in a demeaning manner about girls in general as well as specific girls by name. I also witnessed Brett Kavanagh behave as a mean drunk on many occasions at these parties.”
3. Swetnick Has Signed an Affidavit Describing the Events. Some Are Saying That if Any Part is Untrue, She’s Perjured Herself. Others Ask, ‘Why Would She Make This Up’
I have no idea if Julie Swetnick is telling the truth. I can say this: submitting a sworn affidavit carries with it criminal liability if she perjured herself.
Also, as a clearance holder, giving perjured statements would be a career-ender. Take that for what it's worth.
“I have no idea if Julie Swetnick is telling the truth. I can say this: submitting a sworn affidavit carries with it criminal liability if she perjured herself.
Also, as a clearance holder, giving perjured statements would be a career-ender. Take that for what it’s worth.”
“The point is not that he doubts her account but that he doesn’t have information to confirm or deny it. That’s a GOOD thing for him to admit. He chooses only to talk about the area — clearances — where he’s actually knowledgeable. Exactly as it should be.”
Avenatti says the “sworn declaration from my client” necessitates “an immediate FBI investigation into the allegations. Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation.”
As a security clearance holder, Julie Swetnick is putting her career on the line by making these allegations. The Kavanaugh hearings must be paused so that the FBI can conduct a full investigation.
Others agree albeit for different reasons as it appears some may be questioning her truthfulness.
Meanwhile, the calls for a FBI investigation have increased. And some are asking should the investigation bear out accusers allegations, Kavanaugh should be removed from the bench.
Based on the numerous allegations of sexual assault against Judge Brett Kavanaugh, including these new criminal allegations by Julie Swetnick, the @HouseJudiciary Committee must immediately start an investigation into Judge Kavanaugh to see if he should be impeached.
“Based on the numerous allegations of sexual assault against Judge Brett Kavanaugh, including these new criminal allegations by Julie Swetnick, the @HouseJudiciary Committee must immediately start an investigation into Judge Kavanaugh to see if he should be impeached.”
4. Three Women Have Now Publicly Accused Kavanaugh & Describe a ‘Culture of Assault & Predatory Behavior.’ There’s a Demand Now for Mark Judge to Testify
Rep. Carolyn B Mahoney, D-NY tweeted, “We now have multiple victims coming forward to share their stories about #Kavanaugh A culture of assault and predatory behavior appears to be taking shape. Judge Kavanaugh should be removed from consideration.”
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford came forward to accuse Kavanaugh of attempted rape while the two were high school students in the early 1980’s. Blasey Ford agreed to testify about the sexual assault in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday. Then Sunday night, a second woman came forward. Now, Avenatti says he has evidence that Pres. Donald Trump’s pick for the high court was allegedly involved in gang rapes.
Since The New Yorker had just published a story where a new accuser stepped forward, Deborah Ramirez, who attended Yale with Kavanaugh in 1984 and claims he exposed himself to her.
Ramirez’ account is graphic and detailed and involves a fake penis, and a real one belonging to Kavanaugh, The New Yorker reported.
The Weekreported that a woman who was involved with Judge for a few years while attending Catholic University said he and other teen boys from Georgetown Prep took turns “having sex” with a drunk girl, claiming it was consensual. Elizabeth Rasor was quoted as saying, “I can’t stand by and watch him lie.” Through his lawyer, Judge denied it. It was also reported that a woman who went to high school in the same county in Maryland, Montgomery, said she witnessed teen boys get girls “blind drunk” then “take advantage of them.” The woman who was not named was quoted as saying, the behavior was “disgusting and that girls were “treated like meat.”
“’It is our job to make his pattern of revolting behavior clear, piece by painful piece.’ ~ Brett Kavanaugh on why Pres. Clinton answer his graphic questions during the Starr Investigation. Should he not be held to his own standard? The Starr Investigation lasted 4 yrs.”
Swetnick says that when she was gang raped, while she does not say if Kavanaugh or Judge was involved, she was drugged she said, but knows that both were “present.”
Avenatti has said “If Brett Kavanaugh has nothing to hide and claims all of this is a smear campaign than why doesn’t he call his good friend Mark Judge to testify publicly before the Committee? Why isn’t he pushing for Mark Judge to appear? What is he hiding,” Avenatti asked.
The Judiciary Committee has an issue with this process being public and (2) the Committee wants to avoid Mr. Judge testifying or even requesting that he testify. Both are absolute necessities.”
Avenatti says that given “things will only get worse,” the process must include Judge’s testimony. – he’s refused to be part of the process and may need to be subpoenaed – include all witnesses Avenatti has, and be public. He told Davis as much. Davis replied with a link to the Judiciary’s “position on witnesses.”
Why are Mr. Davis, Sen. Grassley, etc. refusing to hear from Mark Judge. He is likely the most important witness in the process and yet they are attempting to hide his testimony and prevent the truth from emerging. He should be subpoenaed to testify NOW so the truth can be known.
Avenatti said thanks but, “is the Committee refusing to have Mark Judge testify? If so, why?”
Blasey Ford’s lawyers also have asked that Judge testify. Judge, through his lawyer, said he doesn’t remember the attempted rape Blasey Ford alleges he was present during and may have either tried to prevent or egg on. Barbara VanGelder told The Washington Post her client was being “hounded” and as a “recovering alcoholic and is under unbelievable stress. He needed for his own health to get out of this toxic environment and take care of himself.”
I called Mark Judge's lawyer to see if he had a comment on the Julie Swetnick affidavit and to see if he will return to DC and make himself available to investigators. If I get a response, I will let you know.
Blasey Ford said that both Kavanaugh and Judge were drunk during the sexual assault and both men have not only myriad references to drinking on their yearbook pages, Kavanaugh said during a TV interview there was drinking and Judge is an alcoholic, his lawyer said.
5. Meanwhile, Kavanaugh Denies All Allegations & Vows to Fight on & Not be ‘Intimidated’ to Withdraw
GettySupreme Court Justice nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh walks to a meeting with Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (R-ND) in the Hart Senate Office Building, on August 15, 2018 in Washington, DC.
“This is ridiculous and from the Twilight Zone. I don’t know who this is and this never happened,” Kavanaugh said in reference to Swetnick’s allegations.
The New York Timesreported on Kavanaugh’s letter to Grassley where he vehemently denies all the accusations and insists he will not withdraw his name from contention as a nominee to the Supreme Court.
“These are smears, pure and simple. And they debase our public discourse. But they are also a threat to any man or woman who wishes to serve our country. Such grotesque and obvious character assassination—if allowed to succeed—will dissuade competent and good people of all political persuasions from service.”
“As I told the Committee during my hearing, a federal judge must be independent, not swayed by public or political pressure. That is the kind of judge I will always be. I will not be intimidated into withdrawing from this process. The coordinated effort to destroy my good name will not drive me out. The vile threats of violence against my family will not drive me out. The last-minute character assassination will not succeed.”
“I have devoted my career to serving the public and the cause of justice, and particularly to promoting the equality and dignity of women. Women from every phase of my life have come forward to attest to my character. I am grateful to them. I owe it to them, and to my family, to defend my integrity and my name. I look forward to answering questions from the Senate on Thursday.”
Brett Kavanaugh is a liar. His “I was just an innocent boy” claims on Fox are laughable and an insult to any American with common sense. They are irreconcilable with the yearbook, many witnesses, & my clients. His claims about the drinking age at the time also appear to be false.
Avenatti was not quiet following Kavanaugh’s appearance on a cable news channel during his confrontation, which some have reported is an unprecedented move.
“Brett Kavanaugh is a liar. His “I was just an innocent boy” claims on Fox are laughable and an insult to any American with common sense. They are irreconcilable with the yearbook, many witnesses, & my clients. His claims about the drinking age at the time also appear to be false.”
And Kavanaugh appeared on Fox News with his wife, Ashley, Monday to again deny the allegations. And Kavanaugh claimed he was a virgin in high school, college and “many, many years after …”
After watching the Fox interview “regarding his alleged ‘innocence’ during high school years and lack of sexual activity this claim is absolutely false,” Swetnick said.
