Cruz on reported Kavanaugh allegations: There's nobody Democrats don't want to impeach

By Justine Coleman - 09/15/19 10:53 AM EDT
 

Sen. Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzTrump, Democrats risk unintended consequences with impeachment arguments Impeachment trial to enter new phase with Trump defense Jordan says he thinks trial will be over by next week MORE (R-Texas) said the attention to the recent New York Times report on sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court Justice Brett KavanaughBrett Michael KavanaughDemocrats Manchin, Jones signal they're undecided on Trump removal vote Collins walks impeachment tightrope Supreme Court sharply divided over state aid for religious schools MORE reflects the "shameful circus" from the Senate hearing last year.

The Texas senator told George StephanopoulosGeorge Robert StephanopoulosKlobuchar channels 'Hamilton,' says she wants to hear from 'the men in the room where it happened' in impeachment trial GOP senator on Trump soliciting foreign interference: 'Those are just statements' Alan Dershowitz: Argument president cannot be impeached for abusing power a 'strong one' MORE on ABC's "This Week" that he thinks the Democratic candidates will call for impeachment to rile their base.

"I bet you, the next Democratic debate, they'll all be saying, 'Impeach Kavanaugh. Impeach Trump,'" Cruz said. "There's nobody they don't want to impeach. And at some point, they just have to let the anger go and recognize that the democratic process actually moves on."

Cruz defended the way the Senate Judiciary Committee, on which he serves, handled the proceedings following the sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh from Christine Blasey Ford, who testified.

"At the end of the day, we listened to the evidence. We listened to all of the potential corroborating witnesses for Dr. Ford. The FBI interviewed them, examined them. Their testimony did not corroborate her allegations," he said. "And at the end of the day, I think this is The New York Times just being bitter-enders."

The senator also accused the newspaper of digging up bad history on the Supreme Court justice.

"I think this article just shows the obsession with the far left with trying to smear Justice Kavanaugh by going 30 years back with anonymous sources," Cruz said. "It really is another sign of how nasty and divided the time is today."

The New York Times published an article Saturday in which a male classmate said he witnessed Kavanaugh expose himself and press his genitals against a woman without her consent at a party. The newspaper found the incident was not investigated by the FBI.

In response to the article, presidential candidate Julián Castro has called for Kavanaugh's impeachment.

President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump denies telling Bolton Ukraine aid was tied to investigations Former senior Senate GOP aide says Republicans should call witnesses Title, release date revealed for Bolton memoir MORE remained by Kavanaugh's side and chided Democrats and the media for their treatment of the Supreme Court justice. 

Kavanaugh has denied all of the allegations he has faced, calling them politically motivated, and he declined to answer questions about the new allegations to the Times on Saturday.
Tags George Stephanopoulos Brett Kavanaugh Julian Castro Donald Trump Ted Cruz Sunday shows