Chuck Grassley Announces Prosecutor Picked to Conduct Questioning at Kavanaugh-Ford Hearing
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley announced prosecutor Rachel Mitchell will oversee the hearing with Supreme Court justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s accuser Christine Blasey Ford.
“As I have said I’m committed to providing a forum to both Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh on Thursday that is safe, comfortable and dignified,” Grassley wrote in a statement today. “The majority members have followed the bipartisan recommendation to hire as staff counsel for the committee an experienced career sex-crimes prosecutor to question the witnesses at Thursday’s hearing.”
Grassley noted that his “goal is to de-politicize the process and get to the truth” of Ford’s claim that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her decades ago, rather than “grandstanding and giving senators an opportunity to launch their presidential campaigns.”
“I’m very appreciative that Rachel Mitchell has stepped forward to serve in this important and serious role,” the Republican senator said of the attorney. “Ms. Mitchell has been recognized in the legal community for her experience and objectivity.”
Grassley concluded his statement by vowing to not let the hearing turn into a “circus” and vowed Ford will be treated fairly and with respect:
“I’ve worked to give Dr. Ford an opportunity to share serious allegations with committee members in any format she’d like after learning of the allegations. I promised Dr. Ford that I would do everything in my power to avoid a repeat of the ‘circus’ atmosphere in the hearing room that we saw the week of September 4. I’ve taken this additionally step to have questions asked by expert staff counsel to establish the most fair and respectful treatment of the witnesses possible.”
Mitchell currently serves as the bureau chief of sex crimes for the Maricopa County Attorney’s office in Phoenix, Arizona and is a registered Republican, according to the Washington Post.
Many have suggested the choice of a woman attorney to lead the questioning is a political move by Republicans to push back against those criticizing the majority party for only having white men on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The hearing with Ford will be held on Thursday, with his vote scheduled––for now––to be held the next day.
[image via screengrab]
