3 Key Senators Have Problem With Trump's Ford Imitation

Three senators on Wednesday publicly criticized President Trump's imitation of Christine Blasey Ford on Tuesday night, and they're senators who matter. GOP Sens. Jeff Flake, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski, all "critical Republican swing votes," as CNN puts it, shared their reaction to Trump's account of Ford responding "I don't remember" to questions about the alleged assault by Brett Kavanaugh. Their reaction and others, and more on the FBI investigation into Ford's claims.

• While on the Today show, Flake said, "There's no time and no place for remarks like that. To discuss something this sensitive at a political rally is just not right. It's just not right. I wish he hadn't had done it. It's kind of appalling."
• Collins spoke with CNN, saying the comments "were just plain wrong."

• The Hill has Murkowski's response: "I am taking everything into account. I think the president’s comments yesterday mocking Dr. Ford were wholly inappropriate and in my view unacceptable."
• GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham also weighed in: "President Trump went through a factual rendition, and I didn't like it. I would tell him to knock it off—it's not helpful."
• White House counselor Kellyanne Conway didn't budge, saying, "The woman has been accommodated by all of us, including Senate Judiciary Committee. She's been treated like a Faberge egg by all of us, beginning with me and the president. He's pointing out factual inconsistencies." She also rejected the idea Trump mocked Ford, calling it that "lemming-like word you're all using together."
• Meanwhile, NBC News reports that while the FBI is expected to be done with its probe as early as Wednesday, sources tell the network some 40 people who are "potential corroborators or character witnesses" regarding the sexual misconduct allegations against Kavanaugh haven't been contacted. These include Kavanaugh’s former roommate and a one-time close friend of Deborah Ramirez.
• As for how the FBI report will be handled once it's out, USA Today reports the GOP plans to treat it with kid gloves. It will apparently first be delivered to the White House. The Senate Judiciary Committee will see it next, and will have a single copy to bring to senators' offices upon request. The paper says that copy will be kept in a safe in the committee's office.

(More President Trump stories.)