Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says President Donald Trump has reached a "new low" with his "outright mockery" of Brett Kavanaugh's chief accuser, Christine Blasey Ford.
The Democratic leader said Wednesday in a floor speech that Trump should apologize for mocking Ford at a rally Tuesday night in Mississippi. The president made fun of Ford's inability to remember some details about the night she says she was assaulted by Kavanaugh.
Schumer said even those who doubt Ford's allegations can refrain from the "nasty, vicious attacks." He said Trump is "degrading" the way people are treating one another and doing "permanent damage" to the country with his comments.
Ford told the Senate Judiciary Committee that Kavanaugh groped her in a bedroom at a high school party and tried to undress her. Kavanaugh denied the accusation.
Sen. Kirstin Gillibrand also chimed in, saying Trump's comments about Brett Kavanaugh's chief accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, are "disgraceful."
The New York senator told reporters Wednesday that Trump's remarks at a Mississippi campaign rally show "he has no empathy for survivors of sexual violence."
Trump mocked Ford's inability to remember specific aspects of the incident in which she alleges Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her 35 years ago. Kavanaugh has denied the allegations.
Gillibrand, a potential presidential candidate in 2020, said she has turned over to the FBI information Wednesday from a constituent who wanted to testify about Kavanaugh's behavior.
The FBI is conducting a background investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against Kavanaugh. Republicans plan to move to a vote on Kavanaugh's nomination once the report is received.