*By Carlo Versano* With the clock ticking on a deadline for the FBI to wrap up its investigation into sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, the Senators who asked for it still don't have an idea of what to expect. "I don't yet know the scale and scope of the investigation," said. Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), a member of the judiciary committee who worked with Republican Sen. Jeff Flake in dramatic fashion on a compromise that led to the FBI reopening its background investigation. Speaking to Cheddar, Coons said that regardless of the outcome of Kavanaugh's confirmation, the fact that the nomination wasn't voted on immediately following last week's emotional testimony would end up being a good thing for the country. "I think my friend Jeff Flake did something really positive," Coons said. "He got us to hit the pause button for a week." "It's got to help the country that we're trying to work for more shared facts," the Senator added. Investigators are under extreme pressure from Republicans to deliver a report in time for a vote on Friday, a deadline Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has demanded. Sources told Cheddar's J.D. Durkin that a report is likely to be delivered to senators Thursday. CNN reported late Tuesday that the FBI has actually widened the scope of its investigation, adding a specific party from Kavanaugh's calendar to its inquiry. Sen. Angus King (I-ME) told Cheddar that, even if Kavanuagh is confirmed to the high court, the nominee has revealed himself to be so partisan that it will be difficult for the judge to impartially decide certain cases. King alluded to a portion of Kavanaugh's testimony in which he blamed the allegations against him on a Democratic witch hunt. The Senator called that moment "very disturbing." "I don't see how he can sit on a case involving partisan gerrymandering, for example," King said. Meanwhile, President Trump shed all his prior restraint on the topic of Kavanaugh's first accuser, Prof. Christine Blasey Ford. Days after saying he found her to be a "credible witness" and a "very fine woman, he mocked and questioned Ford's testimony at a rally in Mississippi on Tuesday night to roaring applause from the audience. Earlier in the day, Trump also expressed concern that the #MeToo movement had made it "a very scary time for young men in America." Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), a key swing vote in the Kavanaugh confirmation process, said on NBC's "Today" show he found Trump's comments "kind of appalling."

Share:
More In Politics
Why Daca's March Deadline Might be Nonexistent after SCOTUS Decision
The Supreme Court declined to take up the Trump Administration's appeal on DACA. The nation's highest court refused to hear Trump's challenge to a lower court ruling that temporarily block the government from winding down the Obama-era immigration program. Rafael Bernal, Staff Writer at The Hill Latino, explains what this means for Congress's March 5 deadline on immigration reform.
Recapping the 2018 Winter Olympics
James Yoder, founder and CEO of Chat Sports, shares his thoughts on the biggest moments from the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Yoder says he was underwhelmed by the closing ceremony and the performance of the U.S. team.
America's Next Top Memo
Kelly Macias, staff writer for Daily Kos, and James Arkin, congressional reporter for RealClearPolitics, discuss the release of the Democratic counter memo in response to the Republican memo released weeks earlier.
The Obamas Make History Again With Their Presidential Portraits
There is no shortage of opinions on Barack and Michelle Obama's official portraits. Both break the mold, and look completely different from any other presidential portrait hanging in the National Portrait Gallery. Cheddar Chief Art Correspondent Cheryl McGinnis explains the historical significance of the two works of art.
Closing Bell: February 23, 2018
This week's episode of Cheddar's Crypto Craze tackles the latest news and trends in this emerging market. Dropbox files to go public. The dow closes the week up more than 300 points. TV personality Kelly Killoren Bensimon is out with a fur slipper line.
The Trouble With "Trending"
Gun control isn't the only issue being thrust into the spotlight in the wake of the Parkland school shooting. The concept of "trending" news is facing criticism after conspiracies about some of the students seeped into the top stories sections of leading online content platforms. New York Magazine's Brian Feldman joins Cheddar to explain why he thinks it's time to put all things trending to an end.
Load More