CNN host reads on-air letter Kavanaugh accuser sent to Feinstein

CNN host Ana Cabrera on Sunday night read the letter Christine Blasey Ford sent to Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) in July detailing her allegation that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her in the 1980s.

CNN reported that it was not provided a copy of the letter sent to Feinstein, but a source who had the letter read the contents of a redacted version to the network.

The letter is dated July 30 and includes a “confidential” header.

“I’m going to read it in its entirety,” Cabrera said Sunday night. “Some names and places have been redacted where I indicate.”

Ford addresses Feinstein, her senator in California, to provide “information relevant in evaluating the current nominee to the Supreme Court.”{mosads}

“As a constituent, I expect that you will maintain this as confidential until we have further opportunity to speak. Brett Kavanaugh physically and sexually assaulted me during high school in the early 1980’s. He conducted these acts with the assistance of REDACTED,” the letter began.

Ford, now a 51-year-old professor at Palo Alto University in California, writes that Kavanaugh physically pushed her into a bedroom when she was heading for the bathroom of a suburban Maryland home. 

“They locked the door and played loud music precluding any successful attempt to yell for help,” Ford wrote. 

Kavanaugh was in the room with the unidentified boy, Ford wrote, noting they were both one or two years older than her and students at a local private school. 

“They both laughed as Kavanaugh tried to disrobe me in their highly inebriated state,” Ford wrote. “With Kavanaugh’s hand over my mouth I feared he may inadvertently kill me.”

The unidentified boy was intoxicated and encouraged Kavanaugh to both “go for it” and “stop,” according to the letter.

“At one point when REDACTED jumped onto the bed the weight on me was substantial,” Ford wrote. “The pile toppled, and the two scrapped with each other. After a few attempts to get away, I was able to take this opportune moment to get up and run across to a hallway bathroom.”

She wrote that she remained in the bathroom until she was able to run outside and go home.

She said she has not seen Kavanaugh since.

“I have received medical treatment regarding the assault,” Ford wrote. “On July 6 I notified my local government representative to ask them how to proceed with sharing this information.”

“It is upsetting to discuss sexual assault and its repercussions, yet I felt guilty and compelled as a citizen about the idea of not saying anything,” she continued.”

Cabrera, after reading the letter, said it was important to note that Kavanaugh has “categorically and unequivocally” denied the allegations made in the matter.

President Trump’s White House said they are standing by Kavanaugh, she added.

Ford’s letter matches the account she told The Washington Post on Sunday in what was her first detailed account of her allegations against Kavanaugh. 

Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) has not acknowledged receiving the letter Ford indicated was sent to her before Feinstein. 

Eshoo, who represents Palo Alto, praised Ford’s decision to come forward on Sunday.

“I’m proud of my constituent for the courage she has displayed to come forward to tell her full story to the American people,” Eshoo said in a statement. “In weighing her privacy and the consequences to herself and her family, she has demonstrated her willingness to risk these factors to present the truth.”

“I am grateful to her for weighing these equities and choosing to speak out on one of the most consequential decisions in our country, an appointment to the highest Court in the land,” she continued.

Feinstein last week sent the letter to the FBI, though the bureau declined to open an investigation into the allegation.