Menu

Topics

Connect

Comments

Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.

‘Appalling’: Republican senators criticize Trump for mocking Christine Blasey Ford

WATCH: Republican senators Jeff Flake and Susan Collins each criticized President Donald Trump on Wednesday about comments made at a Mississippi rally on Tuesday mocking Christine Blasey Ford, – Oct 3, 2018

Two Republican senators are condemning U.S. President Donald Trump’s mocking comments about the woman who accused a Supreme Court nominee of sexual assault.

Story continues below advertisement

“It’s just plain wrong,” Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said.

“It’s kind of appalling,” Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona said.

It’s “wholly inappropriate,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said.

Trump on Tuesday changed his tune about Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who said Brett Kavanaugh pushed her onto a bed, groped her and tried to remove her clothes when they were teenagers.

WATCH: ‘I don’t remember’ — Trump mocks Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony

He had originally called her testimony to a Senate committee about the events “credible” and “compelling,” but at a political rally in Mississippi, he instead blasted her for forgetting certain details.

Story continues below advertisement

“What neighbourhood was it? I don’t know. Where’s the house? I don’t know. Upstairs, downstairs, where was it? I don’t know. But I had one beer,” Trump said, to laughter from the crowd.

Ford said she didn’t remember some details but that others were “seared into [her] memory.”

WATCH: Christine Blasey Ford’s most compelling moments from testimony before U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee

The fact that Trump mocked Ford at a political rally was “not right,” Flake told NBC’s Today Show.

Story continues below advertisement

“There’s no time and no place for remarks like that,” Flake said.

The daily email you need for 's top news stories.

“I wish he hadn’t done it. I’ll just say it’s kind of appalling.”

Collins told reporters Wednesday morning that Trump’s remarks about Ford were “just plain wrong.”

Murkowski said she was taking considering everything when deciding whether or not she’ll vote for Kavanaugh.

“I am taking everything into account,” she told reporters Wednesday. “The President’s comments yesterday mocking Dr. Ford were wholly inappropriate”

Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also blasted Trump for the comments saying he owes Ford an immediate apology. He also said that sexual assault survivors may be hindered from coming forward as a result.

White House press secretary defended Trump’s statements later Wednesday, saying the Trump was “simply stating facts.”

“The president is simply point out the facts of the matter,” she said.

Story continues below advertisement

WATCH: White House says Trump was ‘stating facts’ not mocking Ford

Flake, who is retiring from the Senate, said last week he would vote to confirm Kavanaugh, but then called for an expanded FBI investigation of the accusations, delaying the confirmation timetable. Flake said Wednesday he’d be concerned if the FBI only followed up on a few leads.

The 100-person Senate is controlled by the Republicans (51-49) but as the midterms are approaching, it may not stay that way for long.

Story continues below advertisement

Flake, Collins and Murkowski could end up being deciding votes when it comes to confirming Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

Flake has vowed to vote “no” to Kavanaugh if the FBI probe discovers that Kavanaugh lied during his testimony. Collins refused to respond to questions Wednesday morning about which way she would vote.

GOP leaders say an FBI report on Kavanaugh will be completed soon. They plan a Senate vote on him later this week.

WATCH: Trump mocked Kavanaugh accuser Christine Blasey Ford

— with files from the Associated Press

Advertisement
Advertisement

You are viewing an Accelerated Mobile Webpage.

View Original Article