Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday said Brett Kavanaugh should withdraw his Supreme Court nomination after a third woman came forward to accuse him of sexual misconduct.
“I strongly believe Judge Kavanaugh should withdraw from consideration. If he will not, at the very least, the hearing and vote should be postponed while the FBI investigates all of these allegations,” Schumer said in a statement.
{mosads}He added that if Republicans move the nomination forward without an investigation, “it would be a travesty for the honor of the Supreme Court and our country.”
Schumer’s comments come after lawyer Michael Avenatti on Wednesday released the identity of his client who is accusing Kavanaugh of being present for a “gang rape” where she was a victim.
Avenatti, who also represents adult-film star Stormy Daniels in her lawsuits against President Trump, tweeted out a sworn declaration from Julie Swetnick in which she declares she met Kavanaugh in “approximately 1980-1981” and attended several house parties at which Kavanaugh and his friend Mark Judge were also present.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is reviewing the allegation.
Schumer added that Republicans need to “suspend the proceedings” on Kavanaugh and the White House “must order” the FBI to reopen his background investigation.
“There are now multiple, corroborated allegations against Judge Kavanaugh, made under the penalty of perjury, all of which deserve a thorough investigation,” Schumer said.
But Republicans have shown no sign that the latest allegations will prevent a hearing where Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford — the woman accusing him of sexual assault during a high school party in the early 1980s — are scheduled to testify on Thursday.
The Senate Judiciary Committee could vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination as early as Friday, which would set up a full Senate vote early next week.