Some additional information arose during the Senate impeachment trial for Donald Trump that had many senators changing their minds on allowing witnesses:
NEW: A key House Republican is pleading with Pence and former Trump aides to share what they know about Trump’s behavior on Jan. 6 — tonight.
She confirmed an earlier anecdote that Trump refused to call off his supporters despite a plea from @GOPLeader https://t.co/BDp7Cbtrmd
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) February 13, 2021
And now the first Demcoratic senator suggests potentially *suspending* the impeachment trial to depose McCarthy and Tuberville.https://t.co/3Ew0IacpkThttps://t.co/BDp7Cbtrmd
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) February 13, 2021
On that news, several Republicans joined Democrats in calling for witnesses:
? ?There will be WITNESSES called in Pres. Trump’s 2nd impeachment trial—
Gavel down, final vote tally: 55-45
5 GOP SENATORS VOTE TO CALL WITNESSES IN THE TRIAL:
Romney
Collins
Sasse
Murkowski
Graham— Ali Zaslav (@alizaslav) February 13, 2021
GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham changed his vote to “yes” at the last second:
CLIP: Sen. @LindseyGrahamSC changes his vote on motion to subpoena witnesses
Full #ImpeachmentTrial video here: https://t.co/t7BAmIvz8v pic.twitter.com/AUoDBEPj4h
— CSPAN (@cspan) February 13, 2021
George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley had this to say about it all:
Raskin just announced new witness evidence despite this member being available and holding this evidence for weeks. It decided not to call such witnesses for four weeks. https://t.co/x2MupAi2Z7
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) February 13, 2021
…This type of Perry Mason moment of a witness suddenly jumping up before closing arguments would send most judges into an unhinged rage. The House managers are claiming that this member just realized that she had material evidence?
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) February 13, 2021
If witnesses are allowed, there are a dozen witnesses who could testify on Trump's comments and conduct during the critical period. https://t.co/0YiPfjzVgX
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) February 13, 2021
How long will having witnesses extend the trial? A week — a month — it’s anybody’s guess.
UPDATE:
Yes, we’re confused too. Apparently now there will be no witness testimony:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate reaches deal to skip witness testimony in Trump impeachment case, allowing trial to proceed.
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) February 13, 2021
