Assault Survivors Confront Jeff Flake After He Gives Backing to Kavanaugh

Arizona Sen Jeff Flake was confronted by a group of sexual assault survivors on September 28 after he said he would support Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.Flake had been the confirmation panel’s only undecided Republican. Flake’s statement said, “Our system of justice affords a presumption of innocence to the accused, absent corroborating evidence. That is what binds us to the rule of law. While some may argue that a different standard should apply regarding the Senate’s advice and consent responsibilities, I believe that the constitution’s provisions of fairness and due process apply here as well. I will vote to confirm Judge Kavanaugh.”Christine Blasey Ford testified for three hours at the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 27, about her allegation of sexual assault against Kavanaugh.Kavanaugh also testified, saying he was “100 percent certain” the incident alleged did not occur.After his statement was released, Flake was confronted in an elevator at the Capitol.Cheddar reporter JD Durkin recorded the encounter. A woman he named as Maria Gallagher, of Westchester, New York, told Flake, “You are allowing someone who is unwilling to take responsibility for his own actions to sit in the highest court in the country.”The Senate Judiciary Committee was due on Friday afternoon to vote on whether or not to give Kavanaugh a favorable recommendation. Credit: J.D. Durkin/Cheddar via Storyful