WASHINGTON — Senators’ questions in President Trump’s impeachment trial will resume this afternoon.
During the first-of-two days of questioning yesterday, Trump lawyers argued that House Democrats want to overturn the results of the 2016 election. Congressman Adam Schiff said Trump tried to cheat to help him win re-election.
The California Democrat defended the House impeachment and called Trump a threat to the integrity of U.S. elections and national security. He said a president cannot “solicit foreign interference” to aid his re-election.
White House counsel Pat Cipollone argued that Democrats did not meet the constitutional standard for the impeachment of a president. He also warned that the impeachment trial could “drag on for months” if the Senate starts calling witnesses.
Cipollone said the Senate could become “paralyzed.” Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow noted that 17 witnesses testified in House impeachment hearings and said Democrats now want “more.” Deputy White House counsel Patrick Philbin called it a partisan, political impeachment.
Dems are pushing hard for testimony from former National Security Adviser John Bolton and acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney. If that happens, Sekulow said his side will demand witnesses too.
Many Republicans want to hear from former VP Joe Biden and his son Hunter about their activities in Ukraine. Florida Democrat Val Demings called that a diversion.
She also referred to it as “smoke-and-mirrors.” Meantime, Trump attorney Alan Dershowitz warned about a “recurring weaponization of impeachment” in future years. He said he’s never seen such a divisive period in America.
(PHOTO: Handout/Getty Images)
