This is all slipping away from Donald Trump
And so it begins. While some Republicans are at least trying to appear above board, the crazy ones are front and center. Rand Paul thinks that approving witnesses like John Bolton means also approving witnesses who have nothing to do with anything, like Hunter Biden. He didn’t say it in those exact words, but he doesn’t have to.
We’ve all heard them talking about subpoenaing Joe Biden. For what, no one knows. He had nothing to do with “president” Trump’s attempted blackmail of Ukraine. Indeed, Biden was the victim. With that said, perhaps he should testify. Trump would also like for Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff to testify, but that is so not happening. Trump should be focusing on witnesses who can demonstrate his innocence, but we understand why he doesn’t; there are none. It’s much easier to sit behind his Twitter account and stir the pot.
It is amazing how Republicans in general want to “avoid” things. As reported by Politico, John Cornyn (R-TX) voiced his concerns about Chuck Schumer’s plan, stating: “It won’t surprise you that we’re thinking about that too and how to avoid that as much as possible.” No, Cornyn. No one is surprised. It is amazing how most Republicans have totally given up on the truth in favor of putting their party over our country. There are, however, a handful who, at least from first appearances, want to conduct the trial as it should be conducted.
Mitt Romney isn’t alone in wanting to vote for witnesses, but he has been most vocal. Romney has never cared about ruffling Trump’s feathers, but others who have cowered in his presence now seem to trying to please their more moderate constituents. Susan Collins for one has been vocal about including witnesses. She is joined by Lamar Alexander (R-TN), who is retiring at the end of this year. According to Politico, Alexander wants to hear the evidence and then vote on the need for additional witnesses. “It’s important to have a vote on whether we have witnesses or not,” he said.
Politico also reports that Mitch McConnell is spearheading writing rules for the trial, and he wants it to mirror Bill Clinton’s impeachment. In that trial, the parties undertook opening arguments and then subpoenaed three witnesses. Either way, McConnell is the “man in the middle.” He has hardline Trump backers who want to immediately dismiss the case, but he must contend with those who want to actually hear evidence, such as Romney, Collins, and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
McConnell doesn’t have the votes to simply dismiss this matter. Romney, Murkowski, Collins, and Alexander are all leaning toward voting for witnesses. Roy Blunt (R-MO) also seems to be leaning that way, saying that Trump has consistently asked for a fair hearing to make his case, “and I think that’s ultimately what will happen.” With 47 Democratic Senators on board, if four of the Republicans vote with the Democrats, it will be too bad for Trump. He will get his wish of a “fair hearing” and an opportunity to “make his case,” though we all know he has none to make.
Shirley is a former entertainment writer and has worked in the legal field for over 25 years