The impeachment trial of Donald Trump started on Tuesday with debate on trial procedures—namely, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's carefully planned cover-up. The debate has been conducted by the House impeachment managers and Trump’s defense team. On Tuesday McConnell released a slightly relaxed version of the dark-of-night procedure he initially proposed, but make no mistake that he and Trump’s team continue to press for a cover-up.
Republicans have voted down one Democratic amendment after another, even as it’s been clear to even the most scrupulously both-sidesist of journalists that "Trump's defense looks shaky"—in fact, even Chris Wallace of Fox News said that “to some degree the White House lawyers are making a mistake.” But Republicans aren’t here to go with the side that makes the stronger case, and they apparently don’t mind if the world knows it.
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 1:42:52 AM Eastern Standard Time · Joan McCarter
And now the final vote on passing McConnell’s resolution for trial procedures.
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 1:49:00 AM Eastern Standard Time · Joan McCarter
And, of course, the organizing resolution is passed, 53-47.
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 5:25:54 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Nadler has been energetically pointing out the importance of Bolton to the investigation, his willingness to appear before the Senate, and his claims to have new information. All of which makes Bolton a wildcard. But considering that without testimony, Trump is sure to walk, it’s worth taking the chance that Bolton is going to sing Trump’s praises.
Trump’s team may have more than a couple of minutes of bland talking points prepared when it comes to Bolton, because surely this is one even they had to anticipate. We’ll see.
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 5:37:44 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Nadler repeatedly positions a vote against this amendment as a “betrayal” and being “complicit in the cover-up.” Nadler describes votes against witnesses as “a treacherous vote.”
Not sure how this is playing with Senators. But man, he is being tough.
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 5:47:44 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Holy cow. Nadler has set both Cipollone and Sekulow on tilt. Both of them end the day flat out shrieking.
Cipollone gets to be the one who declares Donald Trump “a man of his word” and demands an apology from Nadler. Sekulow is left shouting about “shredding the Constitution” by being insufficiently differential to executive privilege.
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 6:10:40 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
This (probably) final amendment would require a vote of the Senate on any motion to subpoena witnesses and documents. From Schumer’s office:
“Senator McConnell’s resolution includes a provision that only says there will be a vote on whether it will be in order for the Senate to vote on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents. In order to get to actual votes on witnesses and documents, this amendment would have to first pass.
Sen. Schumer’s latest amendment (#9) would eliminate this unnecessary obstacle and provide for a vote in the Senate on any motion to subpoena witnesses and documents in the time after the question period.”
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 6:22:08 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
And another amendment which apparently would just change the McConnell resolution to change deadlines for when written motions are due—scheduled for 9 in the morning, with a response 2 hours later. House managers are asking for more time to respond.
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 6:31:30 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Ok, they promised this was the last one. Puts a bit of pressure on Roberts, saying “to help ensure impartial justice by requiring the Chief Justice of the United States to rule on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents" in the impeachment trial.” And it was Collins who broke ranks on the previous amendment.