Senator Chuck Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee opened the hearing Thursday with a defiant statement. He said he hoped for a “show of civility,” but he didn’t seem to be all that civil himself. Grassley questioned the timing of Ford’s accusation against Brett Kavanaugh. Here’s part of what he said:

“Only at an 11th hour, on the eve of Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation vote, did the ranking member refer the allegations to the FBI. And then, sadly, the allegations were leaked to the press.”

“Judge Kavanaugh immediately submitted to an interview under penalty of felony for any knowingly false statements. He denied the allegations categorically. “ 

Does that sound like something who is going into the hearing with an open mind?

Grassley's preamble and mansplaining to Feinstein shows why Senate Republicans decided to outsource their questioning of Ford to Rachel Mitchell.

— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) September 27, 2018

https://twitter.com/ezraklein/status/1045316911163158529

.@ChuckGrassley is incredibly patronizing to #DrChristineBlaseyFord. Already feel like she’s being revictimized by @GOP. #KavanaughHearings #KavaNO #IBelieveChristineBlasleyFord

— Melanie Gilbert (@melanieinboston) September 27, 2018

Now 15 minutes in. Grassley is STILL talking about himself, making sure everyone knows he is blameless. Poor Dr. Ford is sitting there, shellshocked, being scolded by this disgusting man, patiently waiting her turn to speak #KavanaughHearings

— Trisha Blanchet (@TM_Blanchet) September 27, 2018