Sen. Whitehouse & Velshi Discuss the Senator's Report on the FBI's Botched Kavanaugh Investigation

October 13 | Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) joins MSNBC's Ali Velshi to discuss the Senator's report detailing disturbing shortcomings in the supplemental background investigation conducted after allegations of sexual misconduct emerged during the 2018 confirmation process of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Whitehouse’s report is the culmination of a six-year-long investigation hindered by executive branch obstruction, particularly during the Trump Administration.

The four key findings of Whitehouse’s years-long investigation into this episode are:

• The supplemental background investigation was completely controlled by the Trump White House. The FBI was never given “free rein” to conduct a thorough, complete investigation. Statements to the contrary from former President Trump and White House and Department of Justice officials were false.

• Trump White House and FBI assertions that the Kavanaugh supplemental background investigation was conducted “by the book” according to standard FBI procedures were false and misleading, failing to disclose that there are no standard procedures for supplemental background investigations. Instead, FBI practice, which the Trump Administration never disclosed, requires step-by-step instructions from the White House. This practice may be appropriate for handling many routine, minor questions that can arise after an initial background investigation, but it was uniquely inappropriate for investigating the serious, high-profile allegations against Kavanaugh.

• The investigation was directed by the Trump White House to pursue only first-hand evidence and not corroborating evidence. Senate Republicans then cited the absence of corroborating evidence to justify confirming Kavanaugh.

• The FBI’s public “tip line” investigation was a fake. No tip was ever investigated; Kavanaugh-related tips were delivered straight to the Trump White House without FBI investigation. Indeed, the Trump White House could have used tip line information to steer FBI investigators away from derogatory evidence.

[NONE_YA]

Senator Whitehouse is a CHAMPION for our nation.

[rfa]

Our Hero: Senator Sheldon Whitehouse!!

[brucebennett]

Senator Whitehouse is what a US Senator should be!

[varab]

We must take back the Congress and keep our majority in the Senate 💙💙💙💙

[helenpellegrino]

We deserve better than these corrupt people.
Thank you senator.
Please keep exposing these corrupt politicians and justices.

[lynwilson]

Thank you, Senator Whitehouse for your unflagging dedication to justice in our country. You are a true patriot, Sir!🇺🇸💙🇺🇸💙

[jaynedoe]

Truly, my hero is Sheldon Whitehouse.

[epflrz]

Thank you Sen. Whitehouse. You are a true Patriot (cause we are taking that word back!)

[lauradewhurst]

This is absolutely horrific. And truly shameful.

[periyoung]

Thank you Senator. Reform cannot happen soon enough.

[MichellePoirier-mx]

Excellent episode
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has done fantastic work, and Americans want reforms to the Court. Serious oversight and accountability is a must because We have Corrupt Supreme Court Justices that have broken every ethical rule in the book....then there's five damaging decisions that need to be addressed immediately thereafter!
Thank Senator for the great work you do, and to MSNBC for getting the information out to the people.
💙💙👍👍💙💙⚖️👍⚖️

[applebelle]

What an embarrassment. A CORRUPT SUPREME COURT THAT WON'T STOP CORRUPTING.

[cadaverdog]

I admire and love the fact that Mr. Whitehouse refuses to relent. He has character, intelligence, courage, integrity [not exactly priority-qualities in today’s politics]. Let’s hope SCOTUS eventually is held accountable.

[friedadean]

Voices of reason are always welcome! I am grateful.

[aquasands]

I love the work of Senator Whitehouse!🎉

[suni]

I and I'm pretty sure the majority of WE THE PEOPLE appreciate your help in this matter!! We need about a million more of you!
Thanks

[AnonymousMusing]

What a disgusting display of power manipulation. Thank you Senator Whitehouse.

[beckyv]

The president should not have control over the FBI.

[micktully]

Grounds for dismissal. Nobody is above the law.

[MellowWind]

Ok, but how many years does it take to bring these facts to light? We all knew at the time. 3 measly days, and then McConnell shoved him through. It was BS from day one and yet those who know better let him be sworn in. I'm so sick of all this catch up after the fact!