--:-- **Sean Rameswaram:** Support for Today Explained comes from Tom's. They're the shoe manufacturer where you buy a pair, and someone else gets a pair. They also sell glasses. For a limited time, get 15% off plus free shipping on your first order by visiting toms.com/slashexplained.
--:-- **Sean Rameswaram:** Liza, you're a congressional reporter here at Vox. Just a few weeks ago, you were reporting on the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings. Now, there's a new element to Kavanaugh's confirmation, starting with a letter.
--:-- **Li Zhou:** There's a bombshell dropped on the confirmation—sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh by a woman who knew him in high school. The allegations came in a letter sent to Congresswoman Anna Eshoo and Senator Dianne Feinstein. The letter was written by Christine Blasey Ford.
--:-- **Sean Rameswaram:** People have the letter?
--:-- **Li Zhou:** A source read it to CNN, but no copies have been shared publicly. However, someone has disclosed the contents in more detail, and I have it here.
--:-- **Li Zhou:** [Reading the letter] Dear Senator Feinstein, I am writing with information relevant to evaluating the current nominee to the Supreme Court. As a constituent, I expect you to maintain this as confidential until we have further opportunity to speak. Brett Kavanaugh physically and sexually assaulted me during high school in the early 1980s. He conducted these acts with the assistance of [Redacted]. Both were one to two years older than me and students at a local private school.
--:-- **Li Zhou:** The assault occurred in a suburban Maryland home at a gathering that included me and four others. Kavanaugh pushed me into a bedroom as I headed for the bathroom. They locked the door and played loud music, preventing me from yelling for help. Kavanaugh was on top of me, laughing with [Redacted], who periodically jumped onto Kavanaugh.
--:-- **Li Zhou:** They both laughed as Kavanaugh tried to disrobe me. With his hand over my mouth, I feared he might kill me. A very drunken [Redacted] said mixed words to Kavanaugh, ranging from "go for it" to "stop." When [Redacted] jumped on the bed, the weight toppled, and they scrapped. I took the opportunity to run to the hallway bathroom and locked the door.
--:-- **Li Zhou:** I exited the bathroom, ran outside, and went home. I haven't seen Kavanaugh since. I did see [Redacted] once, where he was uncomfortable seeing me. I've received medical treatment regarding the assault. On July 6, I notified my local government representative to ask how to proceed.
--:-- **Li Zhou:** It's upsetting to discuss sexual assault, but I felt compelled as a citizen to share this information. I am available to speak further.
--:-- **Sean Rameswaram:** Do we know if Feinstein read the letter and reached out?
--:-- **Li Zhou:** There was communication between the two offices. The New Yorker reports that after talking to Eshoo and Feinstein, Blasey Ford decided not to come forward. She mentioned not wanting to be annihilated if Kavanaugh was going to be confirmed anyway.
--:-- **Sean Rameswaram:** Why did she decide to come forward now?
--:-- **Li Zhou:** She emphasized civic responsibility, wanting this information to be part of Kavanaugh's nomination. Her account was published in The Washington Post, where she provided a full interview.
--:-- **Sean Rameswaram:** Why didn't Feinstein reveal more details publicly before?
--:-- **Li Zhou:** Feinstein's office says she wanted to protect Blasey Ford's privacy. Blasey Ford had reached out to maintain anonymity before she was comfortable speaking out herself.
--:-- **Sean Rameswaram:** What did Feinstein do instead?
--:-- **Li Zhou:** Feinstein disclosed more information at a meeting with Senate Judiciary Democrats last week. On Thursday, she referred the letter to the FBI, adding it to Kavanaugh's background check file.
--:-- **Sean Rameswaram:** What did Kavanaugh say about the allegations?
--:-- **Li Zhou:** He completely denied them, stating it didn't happen in high school or any time since. His friend initially said he had no recollection but later stated he'd never seen Kavanaugh do anything like that.
--:-- **Sean Rameswaram:** How have Republicans responded?
--:-- **Li Zhou:** Lindsey Graham expressed interest in hearing from Blasey Ford. Jeff Flake said he wouldn't vote until hearing from her, as did Lisa Murkowski. Republicans argue Feinstein handled the letter too late, calling it a political maneuver.
--:-- **Sean Rameswaram:** Do Republicans have a point?
--:-- **Li Zhou:** Blasey Ford's attorney called Feinstein's handling of the letter unimpeachable, respecting her privacy. Feinstein could have brought it up privately but risked leaking Blasey Ford's identity.
--:-- **Sean Rameswaram:** Where does this leave us?
--:-- **Li Zhou:** The vote was supposed to happen Thursday, but Kellyanne Conway said it's important to hear from Blasey Ford. The Senate Judiciary Committee will decide how to proceed.
--:-- **Sean Rameswaram:** [Ad break] Check out Tom's Travel Light shoes at toms.com/explained for a 15% discount and free shipping.
--:-- **Sean Rameswaram:** Emily Bazelon writes about law for The New York Times Magazine. Christine Blasey Ford is willing to testify, and Kavanaugh will answer questions. Is the Clarence Thomas nomination a useful precedent?
--:-- **Emily Bazelon:** After Clarence Thomas's nomination, Anita Hill came forward with sexual harassment allegations. She testified before an all-male, all-white committee, facing humiliating questions. Thomas denied the allegations, calling himself a victim of a high-tech lynching.
--:-- **Emily Bazelon:** Hill's testimony galvanized women into politics, showing the risk of coming forward in a high-profile setting.
--:-- **Sean Rameswaram:** How hard is it for someone like Ford to come forward?
--:-- **Emily Bazelon:** It's a life-defining moment. Ford is a professional research psychologist, and her life will be scrutinized. She faces backlash from right-wing media, which is a disincentive to come forward.
--:-- **Sean Rameswaram:** Some argue that if the assault happened in high school, it shouldn't matter. What's your take?
--:-- **Emily Bazelon:** Teenagers should be treated differently, but if Ford is telling the truth and Kavanaugh is lying, he's exposing her to abuse without taking responsibility.
--:-- **Sean Rameswaram:** Is there a difference in how Christine Ford, a white woman from an elite suburb, is treated compared to Anita Hill, a black woman?
--:-- **Emily Bazelon:** There shouldn't be, but there may be. The Me Too movement has changed the social environment, making it easier for women to come forward.
--:-- **Sean Rameswaram:** If Kavanaugh's nomination is withdrawn, it would be a victory for Me Too. If it goes forward, it would be a failure.
--:-- **Emily Bazelon:** It's not fair to pin credit or blame on the movement. The Senate should take allegations seriously, and an FBI investigation is a good step.
--:-- **Sean Rameswaram:** Thanks to Li Zhou and Emily Bazelon. I'm Sean Rameswaram. Check out Tom's shoes at toms.com/explained.
