This is a very serious charge and one that could further delay or even derail Kavanaugh’s confirmation vote.

After the report came to light, Kavanaugh and Blasey said that they would testify before the committee about the allegation, but then her attorney sent a letter to the Judiciary Committee stating:

“As the Judiciary Committee has recognized and done before, an F.B.I. investigation of the incident should be the first step in addressing her allegations. A full investigation by law enforcement officials will ensure that the crucial facts and witnesses in this matter are assessed in a nonpartisan manner, and that the committee is fully informed before conducting any hearing or making any decisions.”

I know that there are political considerations on both sides: Republicans want a vote before the midterms, and Democrats want to delay one until after. But Republicans are worried that Democrats now have a shot — though still a long one — to flip the Senate. And one could argue about how the release of Blasey’s accusation was handled.

But it is impossible to argue that her claim isn’t credible enough to demand a thorough investigation, regardless of the partisan gamesmanship. And it must be stated that Republicans have zero space to complain because of the way they blocked President Barack Obama’s nominee, Merrick Garland.

If Trump was truly interested in finding out the truth of these allegations, he could have ordered the Federal Bureau of Investigation to look into their veracity as soon as he heard about them. That is precisely what George H.W. Bush did when he learned of Anita Hill’s accusation against Clarence Thomas in 1991.