It's been four days since President Trump officially ordered the FBI to do another background check on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
“I’ve ordered the FBI to conduct a supplemental investigation to update Judge Kavanaugh’s file. As the Senate has requested, this update must be limited in scope and completed in less than one week,” Trump released in a statement Friday.
Over the course of his long career, Kavanaugh has undergone six FBI background checks. This is the seventh.
“Throughout this process, I’ve been interviewed by the FBI, I’ve done a number of 'background' calls directly with the Senate, and yesterday, I answered questions under oath about every topic the Senators and their counsel asked me. I’ve done everything they have requested and will continue to cooperate,” Kavanaugh said late last week.
According to a number of reporters working sources on Capitol Hill, the latest FBI inquiry could be done by Tuesday.
Sr Senate GOP source tells me they were told Kavanaugh FBI probe COULD be wrapped by tomorrow. But as to the Senate timeable, they said they’d have to talk w/Flake, Collins, Murkowski as to when they could forge ahead. Doubtful McConnell could move to end debate before Wed
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) October 1, 2018
GOP senator tells me that @senatemajldr told WH Friday the 3 key GOP Senators wanted the FBI to interview 4 people: PJ Smyth, Leland Keyser, Mark Judge & Deborah Ramirez. Senator tells me with that limit - FBI could be done by today or Tuesday #Kavanaugh
— Dana Bash (@DanaBashCNN) October 1, 2018
But even with a completed FBI investigation, it still may be difficult to get a floor vote for Kavanaugh by Thursday.
Fox is told McConnell has to watch not to jump the gun & file cloture to end debate on Kavanaugh nomination before Flake/Collins/Murkowski are ok with it. That trio could view McConnell as violating agreement for FBI deal if he moves to end debate too soon
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) October 1, 2018
During a press conference at the White House Monday, President Trump backed Kavanaugh's nomination and said while he wants the FBI investigation to be thorough, it must go quickly and avoid becoming a "witch hunt."