Trump says he wants ‘comprehensive’ FBI investigation of Kavanaugh

FILE PHOTO: Judge Brett Kavanaugh testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee during his Supreme Court confirmation hearing in the Dirks WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said on Monday he wants the FBI to conduct a comprehensive and quick investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against his U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, but not a "witch hunt." Trump, speaking three days after he ordered the investigation, said he instructed White House counsel Don McGahn over the weekend to give the FBI free rein to interview whatever witnesses the agency deems necessary.

Sens. Flake and Coons discuss drama that led to call for FBI probe: ‘It was quite a moment’

Jeff Flake and Chris Coons described on '60 Minutes' Sunday how they agreed on a limited, week-long FBI probe. GOP Sen. Jeff Flake had a message for his friend Democratic Sen. Chris Coons on Friday when they left a meeting on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's nomination together, just before the Senate Judiciary Committee was set to vote.

The compromise on Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation

Sen. Jeff Flake explains why he insisted on a week-long FBI investigation into the allegations of sexual assault against Brett Kavanaugh. 60 Minutes spoke with Flake and other members of the Senate Judiciary Committee about the drama on Capitol Hill last week .

Mike DeBonis & Josh Dawsey:

The FBI investigation meant to defuse the explosive conflict over Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh sparked a new round of partisan combat Sunday, as the White House appeared to retain sharp limits on the probe even as President Donald Trump and Republican officials publicly suggested otherwise. Two Trump administration officials said Sunday that White House had not placed any limits on the FBI investigation into claims of sexual assault leveled against Kavanaugh but was also opposed to a "fishing expedition" that could take a broader look at Kavanaugh's credibility and behavior.

FBI investigation of Kavanaugh could help to heal a bitterly divideda Senate: Democrat

One of the Democratic senators whose behind-the-scenes talks with a Republican colleague helped lead to a FBI investigation of allegations against Brett Kavanaugh said he believes the probe will help mend deep divisions in the Senate. "It could help heal the Senate, which is bitterly divided over Judge Kavanaugh's nomination," Sen. Chris Coons, D-Delaware, told ABC News' Dan Harris in an interview Saturday on "Good Morning America."

How Sen. Flake brought the Senate back from the brink in Kavanaugh probe

The tension in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing room was almost unbearable in the hours and minutes before Sen. Jeff Flake announced that he wanted a limited FBI investigation of the sexual assault claims against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Republicans gave fiery speeches defending Kavanaugh.

How Sen. Flake brought the Senate back from the brink

The tension in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing room was almost unbearable in the hours and minutes before Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake announced that he wanted a limited FBI investigation of the sexual assault claims against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. The committee, and the Senate, seemed to be careening toward bedlam.

As Ford Polygraph Made Public, Senate Judiciary Democrats Unified: Kavanaugh Should ‘Immediately Withdraw’

Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Senator Dianne Feinstein , speaks during a news conference denouncing the White House's withholding of documents on Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh outside of the U.S. Supreme Court on September 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. Also pictured are Sen. Mazie Hirono , Sen. Chris Coons , Sen. Cory Booker , Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin , Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse , Sen. Richard Blumenthal , Sen. Kamala Harris , and Sen. Patrick Leahy .

Sen. Chris Coons: Burden of proof lies with Brett Kavanaugh to prove his innocence

Sen. Chris Coons, Delaware Democrat, drew double-takes on the right Monday after insisting that the burden of proof lies with Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh to prove his innocence. Ms. Coons said that Christine Blasey Ford and Deborah Ramirez "have nothing to gain" and have put themselves "at legal risk" by accusing Mr. Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct in his teen years.

Sen. Coons: Kavanaugh Testimony ‘Deeply Troubling’ in Number of Ways

There were a "number of ways" Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee last week was "deeply troubling," including his reluctance to disagree with a congressional or presidential order banning people coming into the United States based on their race, Sen. Chris Coons, a committee member, said Monday. "This was one exchange," the Delaware Democrat told MSNBC's "Morning Joe."

Judge Brett Kavanaugh speaks to the crowd after U.S. President Donald …

WASHINGTON Facing an uphill battle to derail Donald Trump's second nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, Senate Democrats fanned out Sunday to cast Judge Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation fight as a referendum on White House accountability. Liberals fear that elevating Kavanaugh to the nine-person court could create the most conservative panel since the 1930s and lead to reversals of precedents including abortion rights.

Oklahoma senator seeks more information on family reunification process

A bipartisan group of senators is demanding twice-monthly updates on family reunification from the Trump administration, according to a copy of a letter shared Wednesday with CNN. The letter was led by Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware and Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma and signed by 14 total lawmakers from both parties.

Ryan calls Trump threat to pull clearances ‘just trolling’

President Donald Trump's threat to revoke the security clearances of top former officials critical of his administration left congressional leaders stunned and confused, with the House speaker shrugging it off as a bit of "trolling." Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was surprised to learn that many former top national security and intelligence officials maintain access to classified information after they leave their posts.

Dianne Feinstein remains favorite in Californiaa s U.S. Senate race despite snub

Kevin de Leon, a sparsely known liberal legislator trying to oust U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, staged an insider coup Saturday by winning the endorsement of state Democratic Party leaders. The embarrassing snub to Feinstein was a testament to the leftward shift of California Democratic activists in the age of President Donald Trump, highlighting a long-running split between the party establishment and its restive liberal wing.

Sens. McCain, Coons urge Trump to withdraw migration nominee

By JOSH LEDERMAN Associated Press WASHINGTON - Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Chris Coons called on President Donald Trump's administration Tuesday to withdraw its nominee for a key State Department position over his "lack of empathy" for immigrants. The appeal comes as the president faces mushrooming outrage over treatment of migrant families at the border.

‘Beast’ Mode: Democrats Worry Kim Is Playing Trump

Kim Jong Un peered inside as a Secret Service agent held open a door of "The Beast," President Donald Trump's heavily armored limousine. The surreal moment left some lawmakers speechless, with Democrats saying it showed Trump was too conciliatory toward the North Korean dictator during their historic summit.