Kavanaugh Refuses to Withdraw and Calls New Allegations a 'Smear' in Angry Letter

Brett Kavanaugh said in a letter released Monday that despite new, on-the-record sexual misconduct allegations against him being reported over the weekend, he won’t be “intimidated into withdrawing” his nomination to the Supreme Court

In the letter, sent to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the committee’s top Democrat, Kavanaugh characterized the allegations against him as “smears, pure and simple,” which he said “debase our public discourse.”

“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,” he wrote.

Kavanaugh continued (emphasis mine):

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.

The first woman who accused Kavanaugh on the record was Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, who is now scheduled to testify before the committee on Thursday along with Kavanaugh, whom she claims assaulted her a party in high school.

What Republicans have made very clear, however, is that they do not care about what Ford has to say. Senators Lindsey Graham and Orrin Hatch have said as much, with Graham appearing on Fox News to wring his hands about ruining Kavanaugh’s life on Sunday, the same day The New Yorker published the account of a second woman, Deborah Ramirez, alleging sexual misconduct. In that story, Ramirez said Kavanaugh exposed himself and thrust his genitals in her face without her consent at a Yale college party. Kavanaugh has categorically denied both charges.

But despite another round of allegations, Republicans already know everything they need to know—which is that they’ll do their best to get Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court by any means necessary.