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Trump impeachment trial: potential swing senator says he will not support witnesses – as it happened Trump impeachment trial: potential swing senator says he will not support witnesses – as it happened
(about 8 hours later)
Republicans seem increasingly confident they can block witnesses as Schiff suggests limiting depositions to a weekRepublicans seem increasingly confident they can block witnesses as Schiff suggests limiting depositions to a week
Live political reporting continues in Friday’s blog:
The Q&A portion of the Senate impeachment trial concluded, with House Democrats making the case to hear witness testimony and Trump’s legal team arguing for a swift acquittal.The Q&A portion of the Senate impeachment trial concluded, with House Democrats making the case to hear witness testimony and Trump’s legal team arguing for a swift acquittal.
Senator Lamar Alexander — who was considered a swing Republican — announced he intends to vote ‘no’ on witnesses. Republicans Mitt Romney and Susan Collins said they’ll vote in favor of considering additional witnesses, and Lisa Murkowski is undecided.Senator Lamar Alexander — who was considered a swing Republican — announced he intends to vote ‘no’ on witnesses. Republicans Mitt Romney and Susan Collins said they’ll vote in favor of considering additional witnesses, and Lisa Murkowski is undecided.
Despite a couple of defectors, it seems the Republicans have lined up the votes to block additional testimony and evidence, and are headed for acquittal.Despite a couple of defectors, it seems the Republicans have lined up the votes to block additional testimony and evidence, and are headed for acquittal.
As Senators considered his fate, Donald Trump raged against what he characterized as a “deranged witch hunt hoax” at a campaign rally in Iowa.As Senators considered his fate, Donald Trump raged against what he characterized as a “deranged witch hunt hoax” at a campaign rally in Iowa.
The trial will reconvene at 1pm ET tomorrow.The trial will reconvene at 1pm ET tomorrow.
Even if he’s not called to testify before the senate John Bolton could take matters into his own hands, and present his account in a public interview. He’s unlikely to do so — but at an event earlier today, the former national security adviser praised officials who did testify, even as he hesitated.Even if he’s not called to testify before the senate John Bolton could take matters into his own hands, and present his account in a public interview. He’s unlikely to do so — but at an event earlier today, the former national security adviser praised officials who did testify, even as he hesitated.
Speaking at a private event in Texas, Bolton reportedly praised officials who testified in the House impeachment investigation.Speaking at a private event in Texas, Bolton reportedly praised officials who testified in the House impeachment investigation.
Fiona Hill, Tim Morrison, Alex Vindman, Bill Taylor, and Marie Yovanovitch “acted in the best interest of the country as they saw it and consistent to what they thought our policies were,” Bolton said, according to KXAN Austin.Fiona Hill, Tim Morrison, Alex Vindman, Bill Taylor, and Marie Yovanovitch “acted in the best interest of the country as they saw it and consistent to what they thought our policies were,” Bolton said, according to KXAN Austin.
“There is no need for more evidence to prove something that has already been proven and that does not meet the U.S. Constitution’s high bar for an impeachable offense,” Alexander said in a statement.“There is no need for more evidence to prove something that has already been proven and that does not meet the U.S. Constitution’s high bar for an impeachable offense,” Alexander said in a statement.
The Tennessee Republican added: “It was inappropriate for the president to ask a foreign leader to investigate his political opponent and to withhold United States aid to encourage that investigation.”The Tennessee Republican added: “It was inappropriate for the president to ask a foreign leader to investigate his political opponent and to withhold United States aid to encourage that investigation.”
“But the Constitution does not give the Senate the power to remove the president from office and ban him from this year’s ballot simply for actions that are inappropriate.”“But the Constitution does not give the Senate the power to remove the president from office and ban him from this year’s ballot simply for actions that are inappropriate.”
Alexander’s ‘no’ vote means it’s highly unlikely that the Senate would hear additional testimony. Donald Trump could be acquitted as soon as tomorrow.Alexander’s ‘no’ vote means it’s highly unlikely that the Senate would hear additional testimony. Donald Trump could be acquitted as soon as tomorrow.
Republican senators Mitt Romney of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine have indicated that they’d like to hear from witnesses. But even if Lisa Murkowski, the remaining undecided Republican senator from Alaska, joins them, the senators will likely end up with a tie. Although there is precedent for the Chief Justice to break such a time, John Roberts, who has taken a hands-off approach in the trial so far, is unlikely to interfere.Republican senators Mitt Romney of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine have indicated that they’d like to hear from witnesses. But even if Lisa Murkowski, the remaining undecided Republican senator from Alaska, joins them, the senators will likely end up with a tie. Although there is precedent for the Chief Justice to break such a time, John Roberts, who has taken a hands-off approach in the trial so far, is unlikely to interfere.
Senator Susan Collins, a moderate Republican of Maine has issued a statement saying she will “vote in support of the motion to allow witnesses and documents to be subpoenaed”Senator Susan Collins, a moderate Republican of Maine has issued a statement saying she will “vote in support of the motion to allow witnesses and documents to be subpoenaed”
Lisa Murkowski, the Republican senator from Alaska who could be a swing vote on the question of witnesses, has said she’s going to “reflect” and decide whether she needs to “hear more”.Lisa Murkowski, the Republican senator from Alaska who could be a swing vote on the question of witnesses, has said she’s going to “reflect” and decide whether she needs to “hear more”.
Senator Susan Collins, a Republican of Maine, said she’s decided to vote for witnesses.Senator Susan Collins, a Republican of Maine, said she’s decided to vote for witnesses.
And Lamar Alexander, a Republican senator from Tennessee, is expected to announce his position on witnesses shortly.And Lamar Alexander, a Republican senator from Tennessee, is expected to announce his position on witnesses shortly.
The Senate trial has adjourned for the day. Responding to a last question, walked up to the Chief Justice personally by Senator Amy Klobuchar, House manager Jerrold Nadler made one last plea to Senators to call witnesses.The Senate trial has adjourned for the day. Responding to a last question, walked up to the Chief Justice personally by Senator Amy Klobuchar, House manager Jerrold Nadler made one last plea to Senators to call witnesses.
The president’s lawyers know that witness testimony “will only strengthen the case” against the president, Nadler said.The president’s lawyers know that witness testimony “will only strengthen the case” against the president, Nadler said.
“The truth can be bolstered,” Nadler said.“The truth can be bolstered,” Nadler said.
Republican Senators Graham, Cruz, Portman, Alexander, Toomey, Sullivan and Murkowski (who is still undecided on witnesses) asked the Trump legal team: “Isn’t it true that the allegations would still not rise to the level of an impeachable offense and would add nothing to this case” even if Bolton were to testify.Republican Senators Graham, Cruz, Portman, Alexander, Toomey, Sullivan and Murkowski (who is still undecided on witnesses) asked the Trump legal team: “Isn’t it true that the allegations would still not rise to the level of an impeachable offense and would add nothing to this case” even if Bolton were to testify.
Although Trump’s lawyers have been distancing themselves from Alan Dershowitz’s earlier argument that nothing short of a criminal act is impeachable, White House counsel Patrick Philbin more or less agreed — regardless of what Bolton says, Trump shouldn’t be impeached.Although Trump’s lawyers have been distancing themselves from Alan Dershowitz’s earlier argument that nothing short of a criminal act is impeachable, White House counsel Patrick Philbin more or less agreed — regardless of what Bolton says, Trump shouldn’t be impeached.
“Even if Ambassador Bolton would testify to that, even if you assumed it were true, there is no impeachable offense stated in the articles of impeachment,” he said.“Even if Ambassador Bolton would testify to that, even if you assumed it were true, there is no impeachable offense stated in the articles of impeachment,” he said.
House manager Adam Schiff, responding at the request of Democratic senators, said “I don’t think there’s really much question” about what Bolton would say. There’s also little question over what Donald Trump has done wrong, Schiff added.House manager Adam Schiff, responding at the request of Democratic senators, said “I don’t think there’s really much question” about what Bolton would say. There’s also little question over what Donald Trump has done wrong, Schiff added.
What the president’s defense is saying, Schiff said, is that “the president of the United States can withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in aid that we appropriated, can do so in violation of the law, can do so to coerce an ally in order to help him cheat in an election” but “too bad, there’s nothing you can do”.What the president’s defense is saying, Schiff said, is that “the president of the United States can withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in aid that we appropriated, can do so in violation of the law, can do so to coerce an ally in order to help him cheat in an election” but “too bad, there’s nothing you can do”.
Senator Lisa Murkowski’s cosign on the leading question from Republican senators may be a sign that despite some vacillation, she’ll ultimately vote against hearing witness testimony.Senator Lisa Murkowski’s cosign on the leading question from Republican senators may be a sign that despite some vacillation, she’ll ultimately vote against hearing witness testimony.
The state department has advised against all travel to China due to coronavirus outbreakThe state department has advised against all travel to China due to coronavirus outbreak
“Those currently in China should consider departing using commercial means. The Department of State has requested that all non-essential U.S. government personnel defer travel to China in light of the novel coronavirus,” the state department advised.“Those currently in China should consider departing using commercial means. The Department of State has requested that all non-essential U.S. government personnel defer travel to China in light of the novel coronavirus,” the state department advised.
Follow the Guardian’s live coverage of the coronavirus outbreak, which the World Health Organization has declared a global health emergency.Follow the Guardian’s live coverage of the coronavirus outbreak, which the World Health Organization has declared a global health emergency.
With the trial back in session, House manager Adam Schiff said that the Trump team’s justification for not calling witnesses makes no sense.With the trial back in session, House manager Adam Schiff said that the Trump team’s justification for not calling witnesses makes no sense.
The argument that “‘if their case is so good, let them try it without witnesses,’ is not a valid argument,” Schiff said. “That wouldn’t fly before any judge in America and it shouldn’t fly here either.”The argument that “‘if their case is so good, let them try it without witnesses,’ is not a valid argument,” Schiff said. “That wouldn’t fly before any judge in America and it shouldn’t fly here either.”
The Trump administration made clear that it wouldn’t cooperate with Congress’ impeachment investigation, Schiff said — making a case for the Senate to get the evidence the House wasn’t able to.The Trump administration made clear that it wouldn’t cooperate with Congress’ impeachment investigation, Schiff said — making a case for the Senate to get the evidence the House wasn’t able to.
The Senate has taken a super-quick break.The Senate has taken a super-quick break.
Impeachment was one of the things on the president’s mind as he addressed the crowd at his campaign rally in Des Moines, Iowa.Impeachment was one of the things on the president’s mind as he addressed the crowd at his campaign rally in Des Moines, Iowa.
Democrats are “obsessed with a deranged witch hunt hoax” he said. “We’re having probably the best years we’ve ever had in the history of our country. And I just got impeached!” Trump derided “Crazy Schiff” and “Shifty Schiff” before reassuring the crowd that his poll numbers were up and Republicans would retake the House in November.Democrats are “obsessed with a deranged witch hunt hoax” he said. “We’re having probably the best years we’ve ever had in the history of our country. And I just got impeached!” Trump derided “Crazy Schiff” and “Shifty Schiff” before reassuring the crowd that his poll numbers were up and Republicans would retake the House in November.
He shared a number of his other grievances against the Democrats, including their environmental policies which he said would “kill our cows”.He shared a number of his other grievances against the Democrats, including their environmental policies which he said would “kill our cows”.
“That means you’re next,” he told his Iowan supporters.“That means you’re next,” he told his Iowan supporters.
He also said that “through a remittance, illegal aliens from Mexico are going to pay for the wall,” without offering any other information about what that means or how it would work.He also said that “through a remittance, illegal aliens from Mexico are going to pay for the wall,” without offering any other information about what that means or how it would work.
“You’d better let me win!” he yelled out to the crowd.“You’d better let me win!” he yelled out to the crowd.
If you had “Benghazi” on your impeachment bingo card, rejoice.If you had “Benghazi” on your impeachment bingo card, rejoice.
GOP senators Hawley, Sasse and Barrasso raised the Benghazi final report and asked Trump’s defense: “Does President Trump owe more compliance than other presidents did?”GOP senators Hawley, Sasse and Barrasso raised the Benghazi final report and asked Trump’s defense: “Does President Trump owe more compliance than other presidents did?”
White House counsel Jay Sekulow upheld Trump’s claim to “executive privilege”.White House counsel Jay Sekulow upheld Trump’s claim to “executive privilege”.
The idea that “absolute immunity can’t possibly exist” is ridiculous, Sekulow said, making the puzzling argument that scores of past presidents have had immunity. Cutting a deal on witnesses may make “everyone happy”, he continued, but “it doesn’t make the constitution happy”.The idea that “absolute immunity can’t possibly exist” is ridiculous, Sekulow said, making the puzzling argument that scores of past presidents have had immunity. Cutting a deal on witnesses may make “everyone happy”, he continued, but “it doesn’t make the constitution happy”.
It’s worth noting that the past dozen Senate impeachment trials have called witnesses.It’s worth noting that the past dozen Senate impeachment trials have called witnesses.