This Is Who Can Call For An FBI Investigation Into The Brett Kavanaugh Allegations

The idea of an FBI investigation was brought up repeatedly this week during testimonies and meetings surrounding Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court. Democrats have been calling for an FBI investigation on Christine Blasey Ford's allegation about Kavanaugh, which he denies, but one has not yet been opened. The question of if one ever will, though, comes down to who can call for an FBI investigation on Kavanaugh.

In a dramatic moment during the Senate Judiciary Committee's vote to move Kavanaugh's nomination to the full Senate floor on Friday, Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) requested that the full Senate vote be delayed up to a week so that an FBI investigation can happen. The committee, with Flake's vote, ultimately approved moving Kavanaugh's nomination to the full Senate, but Flake indicated that his vote on the Senate floor will be determined by whether or not an FBI investigation happens.

The FBI has already done a background check on Kavanaugh, but it did not include the Ford allegation. Democrats — and Ford — have been calling for the FBI to reopen their investigation on Kavanaugh to look into the allegations. Bustle has reached out to the FBI and the White House for comment.

Despite his request for time for an FBI investigation, however, Flake does not have the authority to open an investigation — and neither does any congressperson, it seems. In fact, the final decision on if the FBI looks into Ford's allegation against Kavanaugh comes down to the White House. As NBC News explains, only President Donald Trump has the authority to request an FBI investigation of a Supreme Court nominee.

Although Trump is the only one with the literal authority to open the FBI investigation, if enough Republican senators come out in support of an investigation, he might not have much of a choice. The Senate is composed of 51 Republicans; if all Democrats and at least two Republicans vote against Kavanaugh's confirmation, he won't make it onto the court — and Trump ostensibly does not want that to happen.

In his call for a delay, Flake essentially said that his vote depends on if an FBI investigation happens, so Trump would likely be compelled to open one to assuage the concerns of Republicans who would possibly vote against Kavanaugh (Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins are also being closely watched, and Murkowski has said she supports Flake's call, according to NBC reporter Leigh Ann Caldwell).

Shortly after Flake made his request on Friday, Trump responded to the news by saying he was still learning exactly what was going on, but he would be leaving it up to the Senate. "I'm going to let the Senate handle that; they'll make their decisions," he said. With that, it stands to reason that if top senators ask Trump to ask for an FBI investigation, he will agree.

Should an investigation move forward, as Kavanaugh and senators repeatedly pointed out on Thursday, it would not make a definitive conclusion on Ford's claim. Instead, it would look into evidence, interview witnesses, and do other research into the allegation. The FBI would then present that information to be considered by the Senate. The FBI did investigate Anita Hill's allegation in 1991, and it took three days.

During the hearing on Thursday, five Democratic senators — Amy Klobuchar, Kamala Harris, Dick Durbin, Dianne Feinstein, and Richard Blumenthal — asked Kavanaugh if he supports an FBI investigation, given that he denies Ford's allegation. Repeatedly, Kavanaugh dodged giving a direct answer. However, ultimately, it's not up to Kavanaugh. Now, it hinges on whether senators pressure Trump enough to open it up.

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