Donald Trump answers Kavanaugh question at joint presser, barely mentions his alleged victim: 'I feel so badly for him'

President Trump answered a question about his embattled Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh at Tuesday's joint press conference with the president of Poland, at which the president repeatedly expressed support for Mr. Kavanaugh, but failed to express the same for his alleged victim, Christine Blasey Ford, who has accused Mr. Kavanaugh of sexual assault. The president also failed to publicly state her name, referring to her only once as "the woman".

The exchange was prompted by a question from Fox News reporter Jon Decker. "What would be the problem with the FBI reopening their background investigation into Judge Kavanaugh," he asked. "Would you support such a thing?"

"It wouldn't bother me other than the FBI, John, said that they really don't do that," the president replied, betraying what seemed to be a complete misunderstanding of the work of the bureau. "That's not what they do."

The president proceeded to lavish praise and sympathy on Mr. Kavanaugh. "I feel so badly for him that he's going through this, to be honest with you," Mr. Trump began. "I feel so badly for him. This is not a man that deserves this."

Mr. Trump lashed out at the Democrats for what he said was their role in bringing the attack, which he referred to only as "it", to light. He also delivered what is now a familiar litany of complaints about the minority, saying "they just resist and they just obstruct," before returning to Mr. Kavanaugh, who he described as "a great gentleman."

What the president did not do was to refer to Ms. Ford by name. Neither did he offer any expression of sympathy for what she claims happened to her at the hands of Mr. Kavanaugh when she was 15 years old. Nor did President Trump acknowledge the seriousness of the accusations swirling around Mr. Kavanaugh, who stands accused of forcing Ms. Ford onto a bed, tearing at her clothing, and putting his hand over her mouth when she tried to yell for help.

Watch the video below.