President Trump said Friday he’s open to a delay in the Senate’s confirmation vote on Supreme Court nominee Brett M. Kavanaugh[1] to allow time for an FBI probe of decades-old sexual misconduct allegations against the nominee.
“Whatever they think is necessary is OK,” Mr. Trump told reporters at the White House. “I just want it to work out well for the country.”
Asked if he had considered a replacement nominee for Judge Kavanaugh[2], the president replied, “Not even a little bit.”
The president, who watched the testimony Thursday of Kavanaugh[3] accuser Christine Blasey Ford, called her “a very fine woman, a very credible witness.” She accuses Judge Kavanaugh[4] of sexually assaulting her when they were teens in the early 1980s. The nominee denies her allegations.
Mr. Trump also had praise for Judge Kavanaugh[5], calling his testimony “an incredible moment in the history of our country.” But he expressed uncertainty about the Senate process, as he met in the Oval Office with the president of Chile.
“I don’t know if this is going to continue onward, or if we’re going to get a vote,” he said.
Asked what his message is for undecided Republican senators such as Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan M. Collins of Maine, the president replied, “I have no message. They have to do what they think is right. They have to be comfortable with themselves.”...