Podcast: What Happens After The Kavanaugh Hearing?

The FBI has been tasked with investigating Brett Kavanaugh, US President Donald Trump’s chosen candidate for the Supreme Court. Academic Christine Blasey Ford came forward, accusing Kavanaugh of sexual assault during their high school times.

After hearing emotional testimony from both parties, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted on September 28 to recommend Kavanaugh to the Senate. 

Kavanaugh was to be investigated anyway as a potential Supreme Court nominee, but on whether he could pose a risk to national security. And then his "relationships with women" became the dominant issue.

All three women who have come forward with allegations – Ford, Deborah Ramirez and Julie Swetnick – have personally or through their legal representatives called for the FBI to investigate Kavanaugh.

Ford's quietly shattering testimony was widely perceived as credible. It could have been potentially devastating for President Trump and also the Republicans. The Conservatives were eager to get the relatively young, 53-year-old Kavanaugh, a lifetime appointment. His confirmation would be establishing a Conservative majority on the bench that could last for generations.

Kavanaugh delivered a combative opening statement and turned the subject into a duel with the Democratic senators and the Democratic Party. And Trump tweeted, "Judge Kavanaugh showed America exactly why I nominated him. His testimony was powerful, honest, and riveting."

This podcast by FiveThirtyEight analyzes "what may be next" for Kavanaugh, and of course, for the US politics and justice departing from the "Kavanaugh affair". 

FiveThirtyEight.com is a New York Times political blog founded by Nate Silver, a statistician and author. This podcast presents a general framework analysis for those acquainted with US politics, as well as for those who are tuning into what is happening there just from time to time.