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Trump impeachment: 'You cannot be acquitted if you don't have a trial,' says Pelosi – live Trump impeachment: chief justice again blocks Republican bid to name whistleblower – live
(32 minutes later)
House speaker says president will not be truly acquitted if impeachment trial does not call witnesses John Roberts, who has said he will not say alleged whistleblower’s name aloud during trial, refuses to read Rand Paul’s submitted question
Ohio senator Rob Portman joined some of his fellow Republican colleagues to ask a question to Trump’s lawyers that was clearly meant as an opportunity to criticize the impeachment managers.
Portman’s decision to join in the question does not bode well for Senate Democrats, who are trying to find a fourth Republican to support calling witnesses in the trial.
Responding to a question from Jon Tester, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff criticized Alan Dershowitz’s “astonishing” argument yesterday about quid pro quos.
Dershowitz said Trump was acting in the public interest by requesting Ukrainian investigations of Democrats because the president considers his reelection to be in the public interest, a widely criticized argument that Dershowitz tried to walk back today.
“What we have seen over the last couple days is a descent into constitutional madness,” Schiff said. “The only reason you make that argument is because you know your client is guilty and dead to rights.”
While holding a press conference about his question that named the alleged whistleblower, Rand Paul was asked why he had left the Senate chamber where the impeachment trial is taking place.While holding a press conference about his question that named the alleged whistleblower, Rand Paul was asked why he had left the Senate chamber where the impeachment trial is taking place.
Each day of the impeachment trial begins with the sergeant-at-arms instructing senators, “All persons are commanded to keep silence, on pain of imprisonment.”Each day of the impeachment trial begins with the sergeant-at-arms instructing senators, “All persons are commanded to keep silence, on pain of imprisonment.”
After Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts refused to read a qeustion from Rand Paul, the Republican senator immediately held a press conference to justify his question.After Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts refused to read a qeustion from Rand Paul, the Republican senator immediately held a press conference to justify his question.
Paul read the question to reporters, confirming that the query did indeed name the alleged whistleblower. Roberts has previously said he will not say the alleged whistleblower’s name aloud during the impeachment trial.Paul read the question to reporters, confirming that the query did indeed name the alleged whistleblower. Roberts has previously said he will not say the alleged whistleblower’s name aloud during the impeachment trial.
“I can tell you my question made no reference to any whistleblower,” Paul said. But the question included the names of two people who worked at the national security council, one of whom is the alleged whistleblower.“I can tell you my question made no reference to any whistleblower,” Paul said. But the question included the names of two people who worked at the national security council, one of whom is the alleged whistleblower.
Some Republicans have been speculating that the alleged whistleblower conspired with Democratic staffers on the House intelligence committee, an allegation that intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff has repeatedly denied.Some Republicans have been speculating that the alleged whistleblower conspired with Democratic staffers on the House intelligence committee, an allegation that intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff has repeatedly denied.
Rand Paul has submitted his question, which appears to have included the name of the alleged whistleblower, as the Republican senator threatened to do.Rand Paul has submitted his question, which appears to have included the name of the alleged whistleblower, as the Republican senator threatened to do.
But Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts, who previously said he would not say the name of the alleged whistleblower aloud, refused to read the question.But Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts, who previously said he would not say the name of the alleged whistleblower aloud, refused to read the question.
“The presiding officer declines to read the question as submitted,” said Roberts, who then turned to take the next question from Senate Democrats.“The presiding officer declines to read the question as submitted,” said Roberts, who then turned to take the next question from Senate Democrats.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell thanked senators for being “respectful” with their questions, which are read by Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts, and expressed hope that today would follow that pattern.Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell thanked senators for being “respectful” with their questions, which are read by Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts, and expressed hope that today would follow that pattern.
The comment was clearly directed at Rand Paul, the Republican senator who has tried to include the name of the alleged whistleblower in a question, even though Roberts has said he will not read the whistleblower’s name aloud.The comment was clearly directed at Rand Paul, the Republican senator who has tried to include the name of the alleged whistleblower in a question, even though Roberts has said he will not read the whistleblower’s name aloud.
Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts has assumed his post, and the impeachment trial has now officially resumed.Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts has assumed his post, and the impeachment trial has now officially resumed.
Today will be the second of two days of questioning, with senators expected to spend eight hours grilling the impeachment managers and Trump’s lawyers.Today will be the second of two days of questioning, with senators expected to spend eight hours grilling the impeachment managers and Trump’s lawyers.
Not much of a surprise here: Joni Ernst has confirmed she will vote against calling witnesses in the impeachment trial.Not much of a surprise here: Joni Ernst has confirmed she will vote against calling witnesses in the impeachment trial.
The Republican senator, who faces a difficult reelection race in Iowa later this year, pointed to the witnesses called during the House impeachment inquiry to justify her decision.The Republican senator, who faces a difficult reelection race in Iowa later this year, pointed to the witnesses called during the House impeachment inquiry to justify her decision.
“Let’s be clear: we’ve heard from witnesses and seen documents: 17 witnesses and 28,000+ documents during this entire process,” Ernst told the Omaha World-Herald in a statement. “The House managers had one job: make the case for impeachment, and they’ve failed to do so.”“Let’s be clear: we’ve heard from witnesses and seen documents: 17 witnesses and 28,000+ documents during this entire process,” Ernst told the Omaha World-Herald in a statement. “The House managers had one job: make the case for impeachment, and they’ve failed to do so.”
Senate Democrats have to convince four Republicans to cross party lines to hear from witnesses, but a fourth Republican vote has not yet emerged.Senate Democrats have to convince four Republicans to cross party lines to hear from witnesses, but a fourth Republican vote has not yet emerged.
Impeachment manager Jerry Nadler said it “might be” a good idea for the House to subpoena John Bolton if the Senate rejects the Democratic proposal to call witnesses in the impeachment trial.Impeachment manager Jerry Nadler said it “might be” a good idea for the House to subpoena John Bolton if the Senate rejects the Democratic proposal to call witnesses in the impeachment trial.
“If tomorrow’s vote fails, they will not permit him or anyone else to testify,” Nadler said of the former national security adviser, who has reportedly alleged Trump directly tied Ukraine’s military aid to investigations of Democrats.“If tomorrow’s vote fails, they will not permit him or anyone else to testify,” Nadler said of the former national security adviser, who has reportedly alleged Trump directly tied Ukraine’s military aid to investigations of Democrats.
Nadler predicted Bolton would talk “publicly,” but he added, “There’s nothing we can do to force his testimony if we lose that vote tomorrow in this trial.”Nadler predicted Bolton would talk “publicly,” but he added, “There’s nothing we can do to force his testimony if we lose that vote tomorrow in this trial.”
The impeachment trial will resume in about 30 minutes with another eight hours of questions from the senators.The impeachment trial will resume in about 30 minutes with another eight hours of questions from the senators.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
Top Democrats, including House speaker Nancy Pelosi and lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff, are saying that an acquittal in the Senate trial will not vindicate Trump if no witnesses are called.Top Democrats, including House speaker Nancy Pelosi and lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff, are saying that an acquittal in the Senate trial will not vindicate Trump if no witnesses are called.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell expressed confidence that Republicans would be able to defeat the Democratic proposal for witness testimony.Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell expressed confidence that Republicans would be able to defeat the Democratic proposal for witness testimony.
Alan Dershowitz, one of the president’s lawyers, tried to backtrack on his controversial argument that Trump was acting in the public interest by requesting investigations of Democrats because he considers his reelection to be in the public interest.Alan Dershowitz, one of the president’s lawyers, tried to backtrack on his controversial argument that Trump was acting in the public interest by requesting investigations of Democrats because he considers his reelection to be in the public interest.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff criticized the answers presented by the president’s lawyers yesterday, saying Trump’s legal team was pushing “the most incredible arguments born of desperation.”Lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff criticized the answers presented by the president’s lawyers yesterday, saying Trump’s legal team was pushing “the most incredible arguments born of desperation.”
Schiff warned the logic deployed by president’s lawyers would lead the country down the “most destructive path.”Schiff warned the logic deployed by president’s lawyers would lead the country down the “most destructive path.”
Schiff specifically called out Alan Dershowitz’s argument that Trump’s request for investigations of Democrats was in the public interest because the president considers his election to be in the public interest. The manager called this point “the most absurdly dangerous argument that could have been made.”Schiff specifically called out Alan Dershowitz’s argument that Trump’s request for investigations of Democrats was in the public interest because the president considers his election to be in the public interest. The manager called this point “the most absurdly dangerous argument that could have been made.”
Schiff also echoed House speaker Nancy Pelosi, who said this morning that Trump would not be able to claim vindication from an acquittal if there was not a fair trial.Schiff also echoed House speaker Nancy Pelosi, who said this morning that Trump would not be able to claim vindication from an acquittal if there was not a fair trial.
“No trial, no vindication,” Schiff said. “The Constitution requires a fair trial, and that’s all we’re asking.”“No trial, no vindication,” Schiff said. “The Constitution requires a fair trial, and that’s all we’re asking.”
Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer got in this dig against Alan Dershowitz, one of the president’s lawyers for the impeachment trial.
Dershowitz taught at Harvard Law School for more than 40 years, between 1967 and 2013, and has since become an outspoken defender of Trump.
Republican senator Josh Hawley suggested John Bolton should publish the “relevant portions” of his forthcoming book to make them available before the impeachment trial ends.
“Listen, it doesn’t make a difference at the end of the day to what is before us,” Hawley said. “I just think ... I’m ready to vote.”
A spokesperson for Rand Paul said the Republican senator will “insist” on asking his question, which reportedly includes the name of the whistleblower, during today’s proceedings.
Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts, who reviews and reads aloud each qustion from the senators, has made clear that he will not say the name of the alleged whistleblower or accept questions that clearly seek to identify the person.
During yesterday’s question-and-answer session, Republicans used some of their questions to try to depict the alleged whistleblower, whose complaint sparked the impeachment inquiry, as a partisan operative who was acting out of anti-Trump bias.
Speaking at her weekly press conference, House speaker Nancy Pelosi said Trump’s likely acquittal would not be legitimate because of how the impeachment trial has been conducted.
“He will not be acquitted,” Pelosi told reporters. “You cannot be acquitted if you don’t have a trial. You don’t have a trial if you don’t have witnesses and documentation and all of that.”
The Democratic speaker warned an acquittal would set a dangerous precedent for future presidents. “The fate of our nation is riding on how this is resolved. It isn’t about just one person,” Pelosi said. “It’s about the precedent that it sets for the future.”
Senior White House adviser Kellyanne Conway also dodged a question about former chief of staff John Kelly, who said he believes John Bolton’s reported claims in his forthcoming book.
At a Monday event in Florida, Kelly was asked about the Bolton’s book, which reportedly includes an allegation that Trump directly tied Ukraine’s military assistance to investigations of Democrats.
“If John Bolton says that in the book, I believe John Bolton,” Kelly said. “John’s an honest guy. He’s a man of integrity and great character, so we’ll see what happens.”
Addressing reporters in the White House briefing room, senior Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway ignored a question about Alan Dershowitz’s controversial “public interest” argument, saying she would not discuss “politics.”
Dershowitz said during the impeachment trial yesterday, “If a president does something which he believes will help him get elected, in the public interest, that cannot be the kind of quid pro quo that results in impeachment.” Dershowitz tried to walk back that argument today, claiming the media had misinterpreted his comments.
Trump is once again lashing out against Adam Schiff, describing the lead impeachment manager as “corrupt” and “mentally deranged.”
This actually isn’t the first time the president has called the Democratic congressman “deranged.” At the Nato summit in London last month, Trump used the same insult, raising concerns about a president leveling political attacks while traveling abroad.
“I think he’s a maniac,” Trump said at the time. “I think Adam Schiff is a deranged human being. I think he grew up with a complex for lots of reasons that are obvious. I think he’s a very sick man.”
Today is day two of the question-and-answer sessions in the impeachment trial, and it is expected to be another eight hours of queries from senators to the impeachment managers and Trump’s lawyers.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell was just asked on Capitol Hill if he felt confident about tomorrow’s vote on witness testimony in the impeachment trial.
“I always do,” the Kentucky Republican replied.
Asked whether he expects a vote on acquittal tomorrow night, McConnell replied, “We’ll see what tomorrow brings.”
Some Democratic senators are pushing for Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts to break a tie on witness testimony if the final vote is 50-50.
Democrats may only manage to pick off three Republican senators -- most likely Mitt Romney, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski -- for the witness proposal. In that case, the final vote on calling witnesses would be 50-50.
Usually, 50-50 votes in the Senate are broken by the vice president, but that’s not possible in this case because of Mike Pence’s conflict of interest in the impeachment trial.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has indicated that he will consider a tie vote to be a failed vote, so witnesses will theoretically not be called if the vote is 50-50.
That’s why some Democratic senators are calling on Roberts, who was nominated by George W Bush, to break the tie. But that would be a pretty extraordinary step for Roberts, so the odds of it happening seem low.