MSNBC's Kasie Hunt reveals why Jeff Flake defied GOP leadership and called for an FBI investigation of Kavanaugh

MSNBC reporter Kasie Hunt explained on Friday how Republican Senator Jeff Flake (AZ), together with GOP moderates Susan Collins (ME) and Lisa Murkowski (AK), now holds the cards in the delayed confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

Moments earlier Flake, who sits on the Judiciary Committee, made his vote in favor of moving the nomination to the full Senate contingent on re-opening the FBI background investigation into the sexual assault claims that have dogged Judge Kavanaugh.

"If I have any experience covering politics around here, you don't walk a plank the way Jeff Flake just walked the plank if you don't know that there's a couple of people that will stick behind you or at least jump in the water after you and pull you out," said Hunt. "The three of them together have incredible leverage, because it means that Mitch McConnell doesn't have the 50 votes to confirm Judge Kavanaugh."

"They're going to get whatever they demand," Hunt added. "And if the White House doesn't give in then perhaps they are essentially sinking the nomination of this man."

Flake has clashed openly with President Trump, with the president belittling and mocking him publicly, including on the campaign trail. Flake is also retiring at the end of his term.

Watch the video below.