Mitt Romney and Susan Collins: John Bolton Book Leaks ‘Strengthen the Case’ for Impeachment Testimony

Sens. Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) said Monday that, respectively, he believes it is “important” for former White House National Security Advisor John Bolton to testify in the Senate impeachment trial, and she thinks the leaks of Bolton’s upcoming book that may tie into the case “strengthen” the argument for calling him as a witness.

“I think with the story that came out yesterday, it’s increasingly apparent it would be important to hear from John Bolton,” Romney told reporters. “I, of course, will make a final decision on witnesses after we’ve heard from not only the prosecution but also the defense. But I think at this stage it’s pretty fair to say that John Bolton has a relevant testimony to provide to those of us who are sitting in impartial justice.”

Collins released a statement Monday that she is still in favor of witnesses at the trial. “The reports about Bolton’s book strengthen the case for witnesses and have prompted a number of conversations among my colleagues,” she said.

Ex-Michigan prosecutor sparks outrage after blaming Charlie Kirk for his own killing

Charlie Kirk’s last 24 hours before his Utah assassination: messages of faith, justice

Internet detectives start disinformation frenzy after naming wrong person in Charlie Kirk killing

Scrutiny intensifies over security lapses surrounding the Charlie Kirk shooting

Reporter’s Notebook: Military whistleblowers testify to Congress about unexplained UFO encounters

Utah Governor Rips the Left’s ‘Words are Violence’ Rhetoric After Cops Name Charlie Kirk’s Assassin: ‘Violence is Violence’

What to know about the timeline of Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting and suspect manhunt

Ilhan Omar Calls Charlie Kirk Mourners ‘Full of S**t,’ Says It’s ‘F***ed Up’ to Remember Him Fondly

FBI running ‘same playbook’ as Boston Marathon bombing in Kirk killer manhunt, retired agent explains

Karine Jean-Pierre arrives for House Oversight grilling in Biden autopen probe

Charlie Kirk assassination: Timeline of Utah campus shooting details attack, manhunt for suspect

Breaking: Charlie Kirk Assassination Suspect Identified

‘Pick Up That Blood-Stained Microphone’: Ben Shapiro Dispels Rumors, Vows Return to College Campuses

Trump Secret Service expanded after Kirk assassination

Pentagon announces ‘zero tolerance’ for military personnel mocking Charlie Kirk’s assassination

JUST IN: GOP Sen. Susan Collins: "The reports about John Bolton's book strengthen the case for witnesses and have prompted a number of conversations among my colleagues." https://t.co/kT4FAgq5Ad pic.twitter.com/UqRfU84P2o

— ABC News (@ABC) January 27, 2020

Romney has previously signaled his support for calling additional witnesses as part of the upper chamber’s proceedings, including Bolton.

“I support the Clinton impeachment model, which is a vote on witnesses later. But as to which witnesses I’d want to hear from, and so forth, that’s something which I’m open to until after the opening arguments,” the Utah Republican said earlier this month.

Bolton is someone who “I would like to hear from, and presumably, I’d get the chance to vote for that,” he added.

In addition to Romney and Collins, Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Cory Gardner (R-CO) could also support hearing from Bolton. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), who will not run for re-election, may also back the move.

Earlier Monday, President Donald Trump rebuked claims that he sought to tie aid to Ukraine to inquiries into “Democrats,” tweeting: