Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who alleges Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her at a high school party more than 30 years ago, has reportedly received death threats, hired private security, and had to move out of her home as a result of coming forward, according to The New York Times.
“From what I’ve heard you have 6 months to live, you disgusting slime,” one message to Ford (who goes by the name “Blasey” professionally) reportedly read.
As a person close to Ford told the Times, “Ninety percent of people think she’s a hero and are extremely supportive of her, and 10 percent want her to die immediately… Her worst fears are coming true.”
Ford’s lawyer, Debra Katz, told CNN that her client understood abuse could be a very real repercussion of coming forward, but she felt she needed to do it anyway.
“She’s now going to have to live with the tremendous efforts by people to discredit her,” Katz said. “She’s telling the truth. She took a polygraph and mentioned this in her therapy sessions in 2012, and she came forward before this nominee was nominated.”
Ford, who did not immediately respond to requests from the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify at an extraordinary public hearing on Monday, has effectively been forced into hiding. In a letter to Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), her lawyers argued that the FBI should conduct a full investigation into the alleged incident before the Senate holds a hearing on the matter.
“We would welcome the opportunity to talk with you and Ranking Member Feinstein to discuss reasonable steps as to how Dr. Ford can cooperate while also taking care of her own health and security,” the letter, reported by CNN Tuesday evening, said.
Ford’s reticence to appear publicly comes as President Donald Trump and prominent conservatives have offered support for Kavnaugh, even pitying the judge for the position he’s currently in.
“They have done supposedly six background checks over the years as Judge Kavanaugh has gone beautifully up a ladder,” Trump said at press conference Tuesday. “He is an incredible individual. Great intellect. Great judge. Impeccable history in every way. In every way. I feel so badly for him that he is going through this, to be honest with you. I feel so badly for him. This is not a man that deserves this.”
Fellow accused sexual harasser Bill O’Reilly thought it would be wise to voice his opinion on the matter, tweeting Monday night that “no outsider knows what really happened 37 years ago” but that “a variety of people have already convicted Kavanaugh.”
No outsider knows what really happened 37 years ago. Yet a variety of people have already convicted Kavanaugh.
Please remember all of those who make a mockery of due process. They are undermining perhaps our most important protection – the presumption of innocence.
— Bill O'Reilly (@BillOReilly) September 18, 2018