Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump on Monday praised Judge Brett Kavanaugh as "one of the finest people that I've ever known" in his first public comments since the Supreme Court nominee was publicly accused of sexual assault, and he criticized Democrats for not releasing information about the allegation sooner.

While he heaped praise on his nominee, Trump said he supports going "through a full process" to "hear everybody out" on the matter and accepted the possibility that Kavanaugh's nomination could be delayed as a result.

"Judge Kavanaugh is one of the finest people that I've ever known. He's an outstanding intellect, an outstanding judge, respected by everybody. Never had even a little blemish on his record," the President said. "If it takes a little delay, it'll take a little delay. It shouldn't, certainly, be very much."

"It will, I'm sure, work out very well," Trump added.

The President also knocked Democrats for not releasing information about the sexual assault allegation sooner, noting that Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, first received information about it in June.

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