NBC anchor Megyn Kelly highlighted on Monday how the attorney for Christine Blasey Ford, who has accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct, spoke in defense of former President Bill Clinton when he was accused of sexual harassment.
"One of her lawyers denied it was sexual harassment when Bill Clinton exposed himself to Paula Jones," Kelly said. "Christine Blasey Ford did herself no favor by aligning with the political people, in my view."
Ford, a registered Democrat, is being represented by Washington, D.C. firm Katz Marshall & Banks. Attorney Debra Katz, who has made a number of media appearances to speak on Ford's behalf, is known for her work with #MeToo accusers, the Washington Free Beacon reported. Katz is a committed "Resistance" member opposed to the Trump administration, she told the University of Wisconsin Law School alumni magazine.
Back in 1998, Katz attacked Paula Jones numerous times when she claimed Clinton sexually harassed her during his time as governor of Arkansas. Katz called Jones' claims "very, very weak" and said she had a "complete lack of proof," Fox News reported. Clinton settled the lawsuit with Jones for $850,000.
Ricki Seidman is another attorney representing Ford. She was a former Democratic staffer and helped advise Anita Hill during Justice Clarence Thomas's hearings. She was caught on audio in July, before any accusations against Kavanaugh were made public, talking about how to block his nomination.
"She's represented by Democrat operatives. The lawyers are very political that she chose," Kelly said. "Christine Blasey Ford did herself no favors by aligning herself with these partisan operatives in my view. She should have found apolitical lawyers who could've helped her navigate this."
"In all fairness, Brett Kavanaugh also saw things differently in the Clinton investigation. His positions have changed, as well," Rolling Stone contributing editor Joe Levy said.
The comment led Kelly and Levy to get into a heated exchange about Kavanaugh's role during the Ken Starr investigations during the Clinton presidency.
"What do you mean?" Kelly asked.
"Kavanaugh thought that these were impeachable offenses. He was very clear about the Ken Starr investigation," Levy responded.
"He is saying he didn't do it. He's not saying that those allegations against him amount to nothing if he did. He's saying he didn't do it," Kelly said.
"I'm saying the positions on both sides have changed over time," Levy said.
"Absolutely not," Kelly said. "You have no evidence of that, none whatsoever. What he's saying is he didn't do the thing he's being accused of."