Moscow Mitch McConnell isn't even going to bother with the pretense of having a real impeachment trial in the Senate. They'll have a trial, but it's going to be the defendant who is running the show. He told Sean Hannity so on Fox News Thursday night, making it very it clear: "Everything I do during this, I'm coordinating with White House Counsel. There will be no difference between the president's position and our position as to how to handle this."
That's following a strategy session McConnell had with Trump's White House counsel Pat Cipollone where the two "sketched out a plan […] to coordinate closely for an impeachment trial but haven't reached agreement on a final strategy to defend Trump against charges of high crimes and misdemeanors, according to two sources familiar with the conversation." Because McConnell sees his role as defending Trump against the charges, even though he's one of the jury.
He couldn't be more blatant if he tried. Every move he makes, he told Hannity, will be "in total coordination with the White House counsel."
Here is the oath Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will administer to McConnell and every other senator before the hearing, the oath they will all swear to: "I solemnly swear […] that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Donald J. Trump, now pending, I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws: So help me God." Impartial justice. That's what he's required by the Constitution and will swear to deliver.
Throwing that in the trash isn't enough for McConnell. He had to add a not-so veiled threat to his Republican senators on top of it. "There's no chance the president will be removed from office," McConnell told Hannity. "My hope is there won't be a single Republican who votes for these two articles of impeachment."
His wanton destruction of the institution of the Senate must be stopped. Please give $1 to our nominee fund to help Democrats and end McConnell's career as majority leader.