Getty Images Christine Blasey Ford is sworn in before testifying to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.
Christine Blasey Ford told senators on Thursday that she’s certain it was Brett Kavanaugh who attacked her at a high-school party, in an emotionally charged hearing that could decide the fate of President Donald Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court.
“Absolutely not,” Ford, a college psychology professor, told Sen. Dianne Feinstein when asked if the alleged sexual assault could have been a case of mistaken identity. Ford, who began her testimony by saying she believed Kavanaugh was going to rape and accidentally kill her, said she was “100%” certain it was it he who was her attacker.
See MarketWatch live blog of the hearing.
Kavanaugh is due to follow Ford in testifying to the Senate Judiciary Committee, in the latest chapter of a drama that has consumed Washington. Trump has weighed in by calling allegations against Kavanaugh a “con job,” and Democrats have called for the nominee to withdraw as not just Ford but other women including college classmate Deborah Ramirez and Julie Swetnick have leveled allegations against him. Kavanaugh has denied all of the accusations.
Read: Third woman makes allegations against Kavanaugh that he calls ‘ridiculous.’
Democrats have criticized Republicans for pressing ahead with the nomination with the allegations outstanding. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has vowed to “plow right through” and put the judge on the Supreme Court.
Kavanaugh needs at least 50 votes to be confirmed, and Republicans can afford no more than one defection if all Democrats oppose his nomination. Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska are among the Republicans whose votes could determine whether his nomination succeeds.
The format of the hearing, meanwhile, came in for criticism from a host from Fox News, Trump’s preferred television network. Chris Wallace said the lawyer that Republicans have hired to do the questioning is treating the hearing like a deposition.
“This is a disaster for the Republicans,” he said.
See: Fox’s Chris Wallace: Christine Blasey Ford hearing is a ‘disaster for Republicans.’
