Politics

Grassley Demands All Communications Between Dr. Ford’s Legal Team And Senators, Alleged Witnesses, And Other Accusers

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Mike Brest Reporter
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Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley sent a letter to Dr. Ford’s legal team late Thursday night asking for all of their communications with specific Democratic senators, the alleged witnesses to her getting assaulted, as well as the other alleged victims.

Grassley specifically asked for all direct or indirect communications between Ford or her legal team and:

“(1) U.S. Senators or their staffs, particularly the offices of Senators Feinstein and Hirono, other than your communications with me and my staff in preparation for the September 27 hearing; (2) the alleged witnesses identified by Dr. Ford (Leland Keyser, Mark Judge, and Patrick “P.J.” Smyth); and (3) Debbie Ramirez, Julie Swetnick, or their representatives.”

The chairman did not specify what spurred this request. However, the Wall Street Journal may have uncovered a possible reason for it.

The WSJ reported on Thursday night that Keyser, Ford’s life long friend, was pressured to revisit her initial statement. She reportedly accused another one of Ford’s friends, Monica McLean, who is a retired FBI agent, of applying said pressure. (REPORT: Ford’s Friend Felt Pressure To Change Story Denying Knowledge Of Party, Kavanaugh)

McLean reportedly told Keyser that the Republicans would use her sworn statement to discredit Dr. Ford.

In Keyser’s statement, she said that she had no recollection of any alleged incident, and had never met Brett Kavanaugh. Keyser also later clarified that she believed Ford, but could not corroborate her story. (RELATED: Report: Another Person Who Allegedly Has Knowledge Of Kavanaugh Accuser’s Assault Has ‘No Recollection’ Of Being At Party)

McLean’s name only recently surfaced in the Dr. Ford saga.

Earlier this week, Brian Merrick, an ex-boyfriend of Dr. Ford’s, came forward and said that he witnessed Ford help McLean “prepare for a potential polygraph exam.”

“Dr. Ford explained in detail what to expect, how polygraphs worked and helped McLean become familiar and less nervous about the exam. Dr. Ford was able to help because of her background in psychology,” his statement read in part. (RELATED: Report: Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s Ex-Boyfriend Says She Coached A Friend Before Taking A Polygraph Test)

Merrick’s statement directly conflicts with Ford’s testimony in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee last week. She said she had not ever coached or prepped anyone prior to the administering of a polygraph examination.

At this point, it’s unclear what Ford’s communications with Deborah Ramirez or Julie Swetnick could turn up.

Grassley also asked again for Ford’s “therapy notes, polygraph materials, and communications with The Washington Post.”

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