Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh was interviewed by the press Monday for the first time since his Senate confirmation hearing ended and sexual misconduct accusations came to light.
Fox News’ Martha MacCallum, host of "The Story," taped an interview with Kavanaugh and his wife Ashley Monday afternoon, and it will air on her show at 7 p.m. ET, Fox reported. The interview addresses accusations of sexual misconduct against Kavanaugh made by California professor Christine Blasey Ford and Deborah Ramirez, a woman who attended Yale with Kavanaugh.
Ford has alleged that an inebriated Kavanaugh groped her and attempted to force himself on her while they were at a high school party in the 1980s, and Ramirez told The New Yorker Kavanaugh exposed himself to her at a party during her freshman year in college. Kavanaugh has denied both charges, and none of the alleged witnesses to the incidents have backed up either accusation.
In a clip released early by Fox, Kavanaugh said he has not considered withdrawing his nomination and will not let false allegations stop him from pursuing a "fair process where I can be heard and defend my integrity."
"I'm not going anywhere," he said.
Fox News releases teaser from tonight's interview with Kavanaugh:
"I’m not going to let false accusations drive us out of this process" pic.twitter.com/XFmuFvwJLC
— Aidan McLaughlin (@aidnmclaughlin) September 24, 2018
Democrats have called for further delays in Kavanaugh's confirmation process because of Ramirez’s accusation, which has no corroboration and comes from memories she admits may be faulty. Kavanaugh and Ford have both been invited to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday.
Kavanaugh has said he wants to testify and clear his name. Republican senators, such as Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) and Judiciary Committee member Orrin Hatch (Utah), have said Democrats’ tactics indicate they are carrying out a "smear campaign" against Kavanaugh. McConnell said the Senate will hold a vote in the near future after testimonies.
Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.) did nothing with a letter from Ford for several weeks, but after Kavanaugh's hearing ended, the letter was leaked to the media. After maintaining anonymity, Ford came forward to the Washington Post and was invited to testify, but her lawyers have fought with the Judiciary Committee about the terms of her testimony. Republicans have argued they have offered Ford a choice of different accommodations, including a private hearing, and do not want to allow Democrats to continue delaying the process.
Many women have come to Kavanaugh’s aid in the wake of the accusations, backing up his character and contradicting allegations and insinuations that he was disrespectful to women. His wife has not sought the public eye, although she did give reporters at their home cupcakes.