WASHINGTON, DC — House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) argued on Tuesday that a refusal by the Senate to agree to Democrats’ demand to allow new witnesses and evidence in the impeachment trial without a vote would deem President Donald Trump guilty regardless of the verdict.
In other words, if the Republican-led Senate does not carry out the impeachment trial the way the Democrats want it to, Trump will be considered guilty even if the upper chamber acquits him. A guilty verdict in the Senate would remove Trump from office.
Schiff told reporters:
If the Senate and the senate leadership … will not allow the calling of witnesses or the presentation of documents, If [Senate Majority Leader Mitch] McConnell makes this the first impeachment trial in history without witnesses or documents, it will not prove the president innocent. It will merely prove the Senate guilty of working with the president to obstruct the truth from coming out, so I do think that by structuring the trial this way, it furthers our case that what’s going on here really is a cover-up of evidence to the American people.
California accused of blocking federal voter roll audit as DOJ escalates probe of election fraud claims
Ex-NFL Standout Now Faces Potential Death Penalty After Murder Indictment
Fed Up Over Palisades Fire Fallout, Karen Bass’ Brother Takes Matters Into His Own Hands and Humiliates Her
Former Biden ambassador considered running against him over border mess, bashes Kamala in new book
Karmelo Anthony and the real racism issue in America
Senate seats Democrats had counted on winning now look iffy
A grim fiscal anniversary looms
Top US ally’s defense chief quits, warns military lacks resources for rising threats
Recently Retired Airline Pilot Arrested – Allegedly Flew for Years Without a License
Bye bye, Bernie? Socialist Sanders is reshaping the Democratic Party in his image in final political act
Portland man sentenced to 30 months in prison for throwing rock at ICE officer during protest
Platner campaign rocked with damning allegations from another ex-lover as Senate race heats up: report
Catholic bishops consecrate US, White House says Trump and Melania ‘join in prayer’ in ‘unprecedented’ gesture
Ilhan Omar Lashes Out at ‘Horrific’ Jerry Seinfeld When He Said Palestine ‘Doesn’t Exist’ After Knicks Game
Karmelo Anthony’s Father Blames ‘White Attorney’ for His Son’s Murder Conviction
While McConnell says his newly unveiled resolution outlining the rules that will govern the Senate trial makes the process fair, Schiff argues otherwise, saying the guidelines “make it impossible to hear a fair trial.”
The Senate, nevertheless, is expected to approve the resolution.
Speaking from the Senate’s floor on Tuesday, McConnell noted that the resolution that lays out the rules for how Senators will carry out the impeachment trial allows for a vote on whether both parties can introduce new evidence and witnesses.
McConnell made it clear that he will not pre-commit to allowing new evidence before hearing the Democrats’ arguments for convicting Trump. Moreover, he acknowledged that no one pushed the House’s hand to rush the impeachment inquiry, noting that they could have waited for more evidence if they thought it necessary.
California accused of blocking federal voter roll audit as DOJ escalates probe of election fraud claims
Ex-NFL Standout Now Faces Potential Death Penalty After Murder Indictment
Fed Up Over Palisades Fire Fallout, Karen Bass’ Brother Takes Matters Into His Own Hands and Humiliates Her
Former Biden ambassador considered running against him over border mess, bashes Kamala in new book
Karmelo Anthony and the real racism issue in America
Senate seats Democrats had counted on winning now look iffy
A grim fiscal anniversary looms
Top US ally’s defense chief quits, warns military lacks resources for rising threats
Recently Retired Airline Pilot Arrested – Allegedly Flew for Years Without a License
Bye bye, Bernie? Socialist Sanders is reshaping the Democratic Party in his image in final political act
Portland man sentenced to 30 months in prison for throwing rock at ICE officer during protest
Platner campaign rocked with damning allegations from another ex-lover as Senate race heats up: report
Catholic bishops consecrate US, White House says Trump and Melania ‘join in prayer’ in ‘unprecedented’ gesture
Ilhan Omar Lashes Out at ‘Horrific’ Jerry Seinfeld When He Said Palestine ‘Doesn’t Exist’ After Knicks Game
Karmelo Anthony’s Father Blames ‘White Attorney’ for His Son’s Murder Conviction
McConnell stressed that the GOP-led Senate would not do the Democrat-controlled House’s investigation.
Key congressmen have recently threatened to call new witnesses to testify in the House if the Senate does take their deposition. They have also said they are continuing with their impeachment inquiry. Their comments came after House Democrats transmitted the two articles of impeachment — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — to the Senate, a move that is supposed to end the House’s role in the impeachment process.
Story cited here.
