Democrats continue to admonish FBI over handling of Kavanaugh complaints - The Washington Post

Their demands follow the FBI’s acknowledgment that it had received thousands of tips after the allegations surfaced — claims Kavanaugh has vehemently denied — but relayed comparatively few to the Trump White House for further scrutiny.

Coons (D-Del.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) that the agency had responded appropriately by providing the White House Counsel’s Office with the tips it felt were most relevant.

“The Security Division section handling the BI and supplemental background investigations provided all relevant tips to the Office of White House Counsel.”.

An initial FBI background check of Kavanaugh had already been completed ahead of his confirmation hearings and his accusers coming forward.

The lawmakers reached out to Wray to learn more about why the FBI did not contact witnesses who said they possessed “highly relevant” information about the nominee and to ask about the role of the Trump White House in the investigation.

The FBI said it acted by passing on the tips to the White House, which it said was all it could do given that this was a background investigation — not a criminal investigation.