2020 Democrats call for Kavanaugh to be impeached

Democratic presidential candidates on Sunday called for the impeachment or investigation of Supreme Court Justice Brett KavanaughBrett Michael KavanaughGOP senators back Christian school's push for COVID-19 carve-out Supreme Court sees new requests for religious COVID-19 carve-outs For Thanksgiving, the Supreme Court upholds religious liberty MORE after newly reported allegations of sexual misconduct against him in The New York Times.

The outlet reported late Saturday night that a male former classmate claims to have witnessed Kavanaugh expose himself at a party, where friends pushed his genitals against a woman without her consent.

Sens. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenCan Biden find a third way between Trumpism and Obama-era globalism? Left seeks to influence Biden picks while signaling unity Schwarzenegger says he would 'absolutely' help Biden administration MORE (D-Mass.) and Kamala HarrisKamala HarrisBiden officially clinches Electoral College votes with California certification Hillicon Valley: Senate Intelligence Committee leaders warn of Chinese threats to national security | Biden says China must play by 'international norms' | House Democrats use Markup app for leadership contest voting Trump campaigns as wild card in Georgia runoffs MORE (D-Calif.), former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro, and former Rep. Beto O'RourkeBeto O'RourkeMexican president breaks with other world leaders, refusing to acknowledge Biden win until election is finalized Mexico emerging as foreign policy challenge for Biden Beyoncé sports pro-Biden mask on Instagram MORE (D-Texas) have all explicitly called for Kavanaugh's impeachment.

South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPete ButtigiegJuan Williams: Clyburn is my choice as politician of the year 'Biff is president': Michael J. Fox says Trump has played on 'every worst instinct in mankind' Buttigieg: Denying Biden intelligence briefings is about protecting Trump's 'ego' MORE told CNN that he supports impeachment Sunday evening.

Sens. Bernie SandersBernie SandersOn The Money: Unemployment gains lower than expected | Jobs report lights fire under coronavirus relief talks Sanders says he can't support bipartisan COVID-19 relief proposal in its current form Progressives push for direct payments to be included in COVID-19 relief deal MORE (I-Vt.) and Amy KlobucharAmy KlobucharSenate committee advances bill for national Latino museum Senate committee approves nominations of three FEC commissioners Scammers step up efforts to target older Americans during pandemic MORE (D-Minn.) both called for further investigations, and in Sanders's case the use of an "appropriate constitutional mechanism to hold him accountable."

Former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenAppeals court OKs White House diverting military funding to border wall construction Federal student loan payment suspension extended another month Pentagon: Tentative meeting between spy agencies, Biden transition set for early next week MORE, New York City Mayor Bill de BlasioBill de BlasioUS records over 14 million coronavirus cases New York City positivity rate above 5 percent, highest level since May NYC mayoral contender challenges New York Times for defining candidacy by marijuana use MORE and billionaire Tom SteyerTom SteyerBiden Cabinet picks largely unify Democrats — so far Late donor surges push election spending projections to new heights New voters surge to the polls MORE also called for an investigation into the new allegations.

Biden told Axios in a statement that "we must follow the evidence to wherever it leads," adding, "Doing this the right way is critically important in getting the truth and restoring the American people’s faith in their government."

The latest allegation by nonprofit owner Max Stier, which had not previously been made public, was reported to the FBI during Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation process last year but was not investigated by the FBI.

That process was especially controversial because of the multiple sexual misconduct allegations against Kavanaugh.

The confirmation process included testimony from Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct, but after a short investigation, he was ultimately confirmed by a razor-thin 50-48 margin in the Senate.

The new details in the Times report have lead to calls to impeach Kavanaugh from several Democrats, many of whom opposed his nomination in the first place.

Several of Kavanaugh's supporters have come to his aid in light of the recent allegations.

President TrumpDonald John TrumpAppeals court OKs White House diverting military funding to border wall construction Pentagon: Tentative meeting between spy agencies, Biden transition set for early next week Conservative policy director calls Section 230 repeal an 'existential threat' for tech MORE in a tweet Sunday said "Radical left Democrats" and the "LameStream Media" want to scare Kavanaugh into "turning Liberal."

"Now the Radical Left Democrats and their Partner, the LameStream Media, are after Brett Kavanaugh again, talking loudly of their favorite word, impeachment," he tweeted. "He is an innocent man who has been treated HORRIBLY. Such lies about him."

Sen. Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzGOP senators back Christian school's push for COVID-19 carve-out Senate committee approves nominations of three FEC commissioners Cruz urges Supreme Court to take up Pennsylvania election challenge MORE (R-Texas) also called out The New York Times over the report and said that “this article just shows the obsession with the far left with trying to smear Justice Kavanaugh by going 30 years back with anonymous sources.”

Kavanaugh has vehemently denied the previous allegations against him, and he declined to answer questions about the new allegations to the Times on Saturday.

In their calls for impeachment, Castro and O’Rourke both argued that the allegations confirm Kavanaugh lied under oath about not committing sexual assault.

While Sanders did not use the word impeachment, he also mentioned Kavanaugh allegedly lying during the confirmation process.

He also said the justice “should never have been nominated” because of siding with “with corporate power and Wall Street.”

Harris and Warren both slammed the confirmation process as illegitimate and denied it was an exoneration of Kavanaugh’s conduct.

Buttigieg claimed that the GOP majority in the Senate "curtailed the FBI investigation."

Klobuchar said access to the investigation documents of the newly revealed allegation is a prerequisite to considering impeachment proceedings.

Steyer called the confirmation process "nothing more than a farce put on by Senate Republicans and President Trump," but did not call for impeachment.

This report was updated on 9/16 at 9:50 a.m.