A New York Times journalist, David Enrich, has expressed remorse for his role in reporting on the sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018. Enrich’s reporting, which was part of a larger narrative that accused Kavanaugh and his friend Mark Judge of being involved in a high school sexual assault, was later discredited.
In a letter to Judge, Enrich acknowledged that he would do things differently if faced with similar circumstances in the future. Judge, who was accused by Christine Blasey Ford of being present during the alleged assault, has maintained his innocence and accused Enrich and fellow journalist Kate Kelly of using “totally bogus” opposition research to frame him.
Judge claims that Enrich and Kelly’s reporting had a devastating impact on his life, causing him to consider taking his own life. He also alleges that several other reporters involved in the smears against him have been “agonizing” over their role in wrecking his life.
Enrich’s letter of apology was revealed by Judge in an article for Chronicles Magazine, in which he expressed sympathy for the damage that the reporting had caused. Judge praised Enrich for being “the first New York Times reporter to come forward and apologize” and called on others to follow his example.
The New York Times has since defended its reporting on the matter, stating that its coverage was “thorough, independent, and fair.”
