BREAKING: Senate rejects call for impeachment witnesses. It marks the first Senate impeachment trial without witnesses. The timing of a final vote on Trump remains uncertain.
The Senate voted narrowly Friday to bring the impeachment trial of President Trump to a close without issuing subpoenas for witnesses or evidence, rejecting Democrats’ principal demand and clearing the way for an all-but-certain acquittal to take place likely next week.was sharply partisan with only two Republicans — Sens.
“It’s a grand tragedy,” said Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer after the vote. “Americans will remember this day — where the Senate did not live up to its responsibilities.” “The House chose to send articles of impeachment that are rushed and flawed,” she said in a statement. “I carefully considered the need for additional witnesses and documents, to cure the shortcomings of its process, but ultimately decided that I will vote against considering motions to subpoena.”
But GOP leaders found that wrapping up the trial was more difficult and time-consuming than expected. Lawmakers want time to explain their votes publicly, and Democrats are planning to force several votes to challenge Republicans on witnesses. With the Iowa caucuses on Monday and the State of the Union on Tuesday, the acquittal vote may not take place until next week.
Sen. Ben Sasse , who had made it a point to not speak with reporters during the trial, broke that public silence Friday to make clear he agreed with Alexander. “Lamar speaks for lots and lots of us,” he said.Democrats expressed outrage over the vote to reject witnesses, insisting that subpoenaing former and current Trump administration officials — as well as documents — was the only way to ensure a fair consideration of the House’s claim.
Republicans blasted that claim, arguing that House Democrats rushed through a weak case and failed to subpoena the witnesses it now wanted the Senate to bring in. Video of several of the House witnesses played throughout the arguments this week.
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