Trump says Kavanaugh allegations 'totally political'

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed Monday a growing chorus of sexual misconduct allegations against his Supreme Court pick, saying they are "totally political."

Brett Kavanaugh faced new allegations Sunday when Deborah Ramirez claimed in an interview with the New Yorker magazine he exposed himself to her during a drunken college party in the 1980s, forcing himself on her without her consent.

"For people to come out of the woodwork from 36 years ago and 30 years ago and never mentioned it and all of a sudden it happens, in my opinion it's totally political," Trump told reporters during brief remarks at the UN's New York headquarters.

"I am with Judge Kavanaugh and I look forward to a vote," Trump said.

Kavanaugh denied Ramirez's allegations in a statement disseminated by the White House saying the encounter she described "did not happen."

"The people who knew me then know that this did not happen, and have said so. This is a smear, plain and simple," he said.

Kavanaugh already faced sexual assault allegations from Christine Blasey Ford, who alleges Kavanaugh and a friend, both of whom she says were drunk, forced her into a room during a high school party in suburban Maryland.

Kavanaugh and the other individual, Mark Judge, then put on loud music before Kavanaugh began groping and attempting to undress her. Kavanaugh, Ford said, put his hand over her mouth to silence her after she yelled, prompting her to fear for her life.

The allegations have cast doubt on Kavanaugh's confirmation.

Ford is scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday in a high stakes public hearing.