An attorney for the woman accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has requested an additional day for her client to consider the terms for testifying to the Senate Judiciary Committee, calling a Friday night deadline “arbitrary.”
Christine Blasey Ford’s lawyer Debra Katz sent an email shortly after 9 p.m. to Chairman Chuck Grassley’s staff, deploring the Iowa Republican’s decision to schedule a vote Monday on Kavanaugh’s nomination if Ford’s lawyers did not respond by 10 p.m. or she decided not to testify.
“The imposition of aggressive and artificial deadlines regarding the date and conditions of any hearing has created tremendous and unwarranted anxiety and stress on Dr. Ford,” the email said. “Your cavalier treatment of a sexual assault survivor who has been doing her best to cooperate with the Committee is completely inappropriate.”
“The 10:00 p.m. deadline is arbitrary. Its sole purpose is to bully Dr. Ford and deprive her of the ability to make a considered decision that has life-altering implications for her and her family,” the email continued.
Grassley and Ford’s lawyers have been negotiating over possible testimony next week. Grassley originally invited Ford to appear Monday in front of the committee, but Ford’s lawyers said that was not feasible.
Ford has alleged Kavanaugh forced himself on her and tried to remove her clothing while they were at a party decades ago in high school.
Kavanaugh has vehemently denied the allegation.
Katz accused Grassley’s staff of “pressuring” Ford to agree to conditions “advantageous” to Kavanaugh.
She said part of the reason for the requested delay is that Ford had traveled “several hours” to meet with the FBI about death threats she has received since her name and allegation became public.
Ford and her family left their home earlier this week after receiving threats. Ford has also had her email hacked and arranged for private security to protect the family, her lawyers have said.
Ford’s lawyers told committee staff members Thursday “she would be prepared to testify next week” as long as senators offer “terms that are fair and which ensure her safety.”
Grassley has extended the deadline for a response from Ford at least twice. The deadline was originally set for 10 a.m. Friday, then moved back to 5 p.m. It was later extended to 10 p.m.
