Asked about Dr.Ford’s testimony, president Trump said that he thought that is was very compelling.
The pool entered the Oval Office at 2:07 p.m., less than five minutes after the delay was announced. The pool was out by 2:12. He was seated in one wing chair in front of the fireplace with President Pinero in the other. Both presidents made brief opening remarks about the bilateral relationship before President Trump took a few questions about the Kavanaugh nomination.
Asked about the one-week delay, he replied:
“I’m going to let the Senate handle that. They’ll make their decisions. They’ve been doing a good job and very professional. I’m just hearing a little bit about it because I’ve been with the president of Chile and were talking about some very important subjects. I’m sure it will all be very good. I guess the vote was a positive vote but there seems to be a delay. I’ll learn more about it as the day goes on. I just heard about it because we were together.”
Asked about Dr. Ford’s testimony:
“I thought her testimony was very compelling and she looks like a very fine woman to me. A very fine woman. And I thought that Brett’s testimony likewise was, really something that I hadn’t seen before. Incredible. It was an incredible moment in the history of our country. But certainly she was a very credible witness. She was very good in many respects. And I think that, I don’t know if this is going to continue onward or if we’re going to get a vote. Again, I’m here so I’m not out there watching because I can’t out of great respect. Although maybe we’ll go out and watch together. But I think it will work out very well for the country. I just want it to work out well for the country. If that happens, I’m happy.”
Is he considering a replacement?
“Not even a little bit.”
Does he have any message to wavering senators?
“I have no message. They have to do what they think is right. There is no message whatsoever. They have to do what they think is right. They have to be comfortable with themselves and I’m sure that’s what they want.”
He added:
“I’m going to rely on all the people, including Sen. Grassley who is doing a very good job. That is going to be a decision they are going to make and I suspect they’ll be making some decision soon whether to take a vote or do whatever else they want to do. I will be totally reliant on what Sen. Grassley and the group decides to do.”
Throughout the session, the president was very low-key and relaxed.
His remarks on Chile to follow in report #3