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THE FIGHT OVER calling witnesses to testify in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial intensified last night after Trump’s lawyers closed their defence calling the abuse of power charges against him politically motivated.
Democrats sought to have the Senate subpoena former White House national security advisor John Bolton to provide evidence after leaks from his forthcoming book suggested he could supply damning evidence against Trump.
But Republicans threatened to demand that Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden and his son Hunter also testify, in a move aimed at damaging the party’s possibly best chance of defeating Trump in the November election.
“If people want witnesses, we’re going to get a lot of witnesses,” said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.
At only the third ever presidential impeachment trial in US history, Trump’s lawyers closed out their three-day defence in the Senate by calling for a speedy acquittal of Trump and accusing Democrats of bringing politically motivated charges in an attempt to reverse his 2016 election victory.
“What they are asking you to do is to throw out a successful president, on the eve of an election, with no basis and in violation of the constitution,” Trump’s lead counsel Pat Cipollone said.
“The American people are entitled to choose their president,” he told the senators sitting as the jury. “We urge the Senate to reject these articles of impeachment.”
Low bar
Trump is accused of cheating in his 2020 reelection effort by pressuring vulnerable ally Ukraine to announce investigations into both Bidens and a spurious conspiracy theory, promoted by Russia, that Kiev helped the Democrats in 2016.
The impeachment charges say the president froze vital military aid to Ukraine for two months last summer to pressure President Volodymyr Zelensky to publicly announce the probes, illicitly drawing a foreign nation into US electoral politics.
Trump’s lawyers mostly steered clear of those specific allegations.
Instead they argued that the impeachment case was rooted in “policy differences” and that the charges against him, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, are too weak and thinly-sourced to justify his removal from office.
They said a conviction would set a precedent for US politics that would result in retribution-driven political battles for years to come.
“The bar for impeachment cannot be set this low,” said Jay Sekulow, another Trump lawyer.
“If partisan impeachment is now the rule of the day… future presidents — Democrats, Republicans — will be paralyzed the moment they are elected,” he said.
Adam Schiff, the head of the Democrats’ prosecution team, said that Republicans’ arguments were “not particularly relevant to the charges against the president.”
“The president’s lawyers … really did not, cannot, defend the president on the facts,” he said.
Battle over Bolton
The trial, which began in earnest seven days ago, turns now to senators submitting written questions to the prosecution and defence through presiding Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts over today and tomorrow.
On Friday they are expected to take up the issue of calling witnesses, which Republicans originally believed they could defeat and bring the trial to a swift close with their 53-47 majority in the Senate.
But leaks from Bolton’s coming book, suggesting he could provide evidence of Trump’s wrongdoing appear to have convinced several Republicans to support calling witnesses.
Bolton reportedly says Trump told him in August that aid to Ukraine, totalling almost $400 million, would stay frozen until Zelensky announced investigations into Democrats, including the Bidens.
Late last night, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told Senate Republicans they did not have enough votes yet to block a witness call – implying that at least four Republican senators would cross party lines and side with the 47 Democrats in an expected vote.
Trump and his supporters have pummeled Bolton in the media.
But Trump’s former White House chief of staff, retired general John Kelly, said yesterday that he trusts Bolton on the matter.
“If John Bolton says that in the book, I believe John Bolton,” he said in Florida.
Senator Graham told Fox News that he expected Republicans would still be able to defeat the witness vote on Friday and the trial would be finished before the annual State of the Union speech which Trump is to deliver to Congress next Tuesday.
“This, to me, needs to end, end now,” Graham said.
Trump himself, at a campaign rally in New Jersey, said the Democrats were carrying out “deranged partisan crusades.”
But Graham, one of Trump’s strongest defenders in the Senate, also threatened to make Democrats pay a price if they are determined to call Bolton.
Republicans would insist on subpoenaing the two Bidens as well as others linked to the Ukraine case.
He said they would want to know “was it legitimate for the president to believe there was corruption and conflicts of interest on the Bidens’ part in the Ukraine?”
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A trial where where witnesses and evidence is being blocked. In fact the ONLY impeachment trial in US history where this is the case. It’s a pity the republicans refuse to see past their next election, because they’re destroying their system of governance and accountability.
@The Risen: Look, I hope witnesses are called because Trump’s witnesses are a lot better than a fired ex-employee with a book to sell. Btw, guess who was the guy whose job it was to read Bolton’s manuscript and leak it. Lieutenant Colonel Vindman’s twin brother. Hilarious, you couldn’t make it up.
@Burn_the_Witch: I hope they play the tape of the call. Do that and the trial will be over very quickly.
@The Risen:
Maybe the Dems can come up with some actual proof that a crime was committed, Sham of an impeachment process. Dems crapping all over the constitution.
Burden of proof is what it’s called.
@Burn_the_Witch: As far as I can tell that is an absolute lie fabricated by Breitbart, there’s zero evidence that Vindman’s brother ever reviewed the Bolton manuscript and this has just been suggested because it sounds like a good ‘gotcha’ moment.
Unless you have evidence to suggest otherwise I wouldn’t continue to parrot that claim.
@Raven: Check again will you and stop being silly!
@Raven: So you agree they should be allowed to call witnesses so that burden can be met. Fair play.
@The Risen: You do know the Dims blocked most witnesses on the republican wish list in Congress?!
@JackSimpson: Witnesses that were irrelevant to the charges and only being used as a means of deflection.
@JackSimpson: Yes they do know but most are in denial. However bring on Bolton and all the other witnesses and let’s see how that works out for the Dems. I wouldn’t be so confident for them.
@PeterC: Joe Biden is central to the entire dimocrat hoax. How is it irrelevant? If Joe was committing corruption (which it seems he was) it would be a big deal!
@LowIQJackSimpson – still rambling nonsense jack – again – that’s NOT what happened – it doesn’t matter how little you seem to know about the process you keep repeating nonsense – the ‘trial’ takes place in the republican controlled senate…the Republicans are the ones running the sham trial and that don’t want witnesses – try keep up.
@John Horan: Yes that would be the end of it- and perhaps the reason why its not played. If Forrest Trump and his supporters were genuinely sure of his innocence – then surely they would be playing the recording of the call on Fox News and every other US media outlet 24/7.
@The Risen: “they’re destroying their system of governance and accountability”. Isn’t that the point? Bannon 101. That’s not just a throwaway comment, if you step back and look at it objectively that’s net result of the last 3 years. After all, the Democrats can just roll back all the legislation and tax cuts etc.. if/when they get back into power. Destruction of faith in their institutions/constitution: not so easy.
If trump is so innocent he should allow these witnesses and documents to be produce. They’ll just exonerate him, right?
@Dave Thomas: maybe because some people want to sell books and hold a grudge for lack of all out war against Iran.
@milton friedman: well let Bolton testify under oath. He can be cross examined and we can see what he has to say….. Unless trump has something to hide?
@Dave Thomas: If Biden is so innocent, why the uproar regarding the Ukrainians investigating him?
@JackSimpson: Biden being innocent or not is irrelevant to the charges. Trump should have followed due process if he truly believed he Biden was guilty. He didnt though. Rather he instead tried to use it for his own political gain.
No harm to give the devious Dems a taste of their own medicine
@WreckDefier: yeah a taste of their own medicine. Let the witnesses testify. Let’s hear what they have to say under oath. It shouldn’t be a problem?!
@WreckDefier: Uh huh, sure. You keep repeating those talking points, no one believes you.
@WreckDefier: Your twitter account doesn’t appear to exist… very devious indeed.
@Dave Thomas: I think you know what he means Dave. The Dems refused Trump any witnesses during the house proceedings. Now they want the rep’s to allow them interview witnesses in the senate that they could have interviewed in the house, but didn’t, because they didn’t have time to wait because Trump was such a clear and present danger to the nation, his impeachment couldn’t be stalled. In their rush they threw common sense out the window by not settling the Bolton issue in court where these disputes between the executive branches are supposed to be settled. Problem is they knew they would lose in court and it would look better for them if they changed the name of ‘Executive privilege’ to ‘Obstruction of Congress’, which is exactly what they did. It was never gonna work though.
@Tricia G:
Still waiting for some proof that an actual crime was committed, have you any? Repeating a lie multiple times doesn’t make it truth, Tricia.
@Raven: Doesn’t seem to stop Trump lying though… does it!????
@Raven: Doesn’t seem to stop Trump lying though… does it?
@Raven: Doesn’t seem to stop Trump telling those lies though… does it?
@Tracy Moore: I’ve lost the run of myself!
@Burn_the_Witch: NO. trump blocked everybody from giving evidence. Why do you guys keep repeating the same. We know what happened!
@Burn_the_Witch: read this, if you can
@WreckDefier: russian bots are out early today.
@Raven: Doessnt need a crime to be committed for impeachment and removal from office
@Dave Thomas: Man you need to stop reading trash. USA Today, really Dave? You’re letting your standards drop. What the USA Today article comes down to is it’s final conclusion, “Ultimately, refusal to cooperate with congressional subpoenas might itself be impeachable conduct.”
Except as you well know at this stage Dave, the Constitution gives the President of the United State’s every right to call on Executive privilege. And Congress has every right to go to the Supreme Court to fight it, but they didn’t as they know as well as you that they would lose.
And no need to get all salty asking if I can read? Poor form bud. You’re no better than Don Lemon the other day on CNN. You shouldn’t go around thinking you’re better than others just because you don’t share the same political views. Weak
@Dave Thomas: What are you on about, my argument is clear and concise with no sign of any deflection or indeed insults. If all you have is insults, you’ve already lost the argument. There’s just no need man. I’ll make my point again in case you are confused, according to the constitution the president can use Executive Privilege and Congress can take him to court and allow the judges to decide. That’s just plain and simple facts Zhuhai duh duh Dave
@Burn_the_Witch: excuse the last sentence, that was my colleague having a laugh with the duh duh duh Dave. Apologies
@Dave Thomas: ehh no, the dims controlled congress. They called plenty of witnesses. Still no damning evidence.
@Tracy Moore:
Touchscreen tourettes?
@Burn_the_Witch: eh thats not what happened at all- but hey -don’t let the facts get in the way of your ramblings. 75% of Americans think there should be witnesses called in the trial …funny how Republicans were complaining about things moving too fast and then want to railroad a showt rial in the senate to finish in two weeks hahahah…hypocrisy much ?? Usual talking points nonsense Burn.
@Dave Hammond: Of those 75% that you mention, I’m willing to bet a very large percentage of them are Republicans who want to see a full on trial for the same reasons that I do. And it’s not to see the dem’s main witness (who they have hated for as long as he’s been around) flog a book. If witnesses are called, just like every trick the dems try to pull out of the bag, Bolton will flop. Then things will start to get interesting. Anyway, enjoy it before it turns sour on you. Xx
He was never going to be impeached.. The Republicans control the Senate .. yawn double yawn
@A_H: He’s already been impeached, do keep up.
@A_H: eh, he was impeached. That’s what this trial is – impeachment. I think you may be confusing impeachment with being removed from office. A president can be impeached and still be cleared of wrongdoing.
@Brian Ó Dálaigh: He has been charged with impeachment… Big difference between been charged and actually been impeached.. do keep up
@A_H: Yeah, that’s categorically incorrect.
He has been “charged” with Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress through the process of Impeachment.
“Alternative” facts are really facts you know.
@A_H: just stop. You clearly don’t know what you are talking about.
*are not really facts :)
@A_H: no, he was charged with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The process is known as impeachment. The fact the trial is now ongoing means he has been impeached. Donald Trump was impeached on the 18th December, 2019. It is now a historical fact. Do keep up.
@Brian Ó Dálaigh: I stand corrected.. you made Ur point in a good way , not with typical journal rudeness.
@Tricia G: pity with the misspell . U still made a very good point….
@A_H: Thus ensuring that the POTUS is above all laws. Shocking stuff, but expected!
@Paul Furey: How is he above the law? What law has he broken?
@A_H: you are thick. He has been impeached you dunce.
So over this.
The democrats are the worst opposition party ever. Of all of Trumps crimes what they’re most concerned about is military aid getting delayed for two months. God forbid the US stop fuelling a civil war for two months and stop funnelling weapons into the hands of neo-nazis (Azov battalion)… for two months.
@Seán: It’s not really the military aid itself they’re concerned about, but maybe you haven’t been paying attention.
It’s that Trump, as President, used the threat of withholding foreign aid as currency to attempt to damage his main political opponent.
That is a way bigger issue.
@ihcalaM: Or maybe it is exactly what it says on the tin and what Trump said in his phone call. Just because Biden was VP does not give him immunity from corruption or a right not to be investigated. Trump’s infamous phone call with Zelensky took place before Biden even threw his hat in the ring and entered the race. Maybe you should go back and look at Pam Bondi speak on the topic at the impeachment trial. MSM news channels did a pretty good job of cutting it out of the news, but she did a great job of explaining the Biden’s work in Ukraine.
@Seán: so what you’re saying is… You’ve no idea what’s going on here?
The republicans should allow Bolton to testify. In return, the dims should get Hunter Biden, Joe Bide, Gossipblower, Shifty Schiff to testify!
Why do Americans keep deluding themselves of being a democracy? The USA is probably the least democratic country within the block of western democracies. And, as for hypocrisy: have you ever seen the likes of republicans swearing a solemn oath to God to make their judgement in accordance with the evidence presented to them in the trial of Trump while knowingly intending to support Trump regardless of the evidence presented; what a sham!
The Republicans will lose control of the US Senate this year due to shameless abuse of process. When that happens it’s game over for Trumpy, regardless of the cynical politicking in the impeachment process.
When the rabid branch of the Reps are banished again the world can get back on course for advancement.
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