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.
Trump’s spy chiefs put Republican leaders on the clock over ‘huge priority’ as power shift looms over Congress
The mistake newly-elected Dems admit they can’t afford to make with Trump after sweeping 2026 wins
Mamdani Set to Disband NYPD’s Counterterrorism and Protest Response Unit: Report
Fact Check: No, Guard Did Not Yell at Hegseth at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – Just Watch Raw Video and Listen
Rubio’s next move? Lawyers eye speech of ‘visionary’ leader for 2028 clues after GOP’s midterm wipeout
Empire State Building climbers face deportation fears after attorney claims plea deal fell apart
Schumer’s Senate leadership fight intensifies as key progressive backs challenger and more top headlines
Tough Guy Viciously Attacks Family Over Christian Tract in Halloween Candy, Then Becomes Total Coward When Internet Tracks Him Down
Huge GOP election losses spur debates about populist economics
Jeffries shredded over Hegseth impeachment snafu as Dem jockeys for speaker’s gavel
Three-quarters of House members seeking statewide office lost
In Haiti, Bukele cracks down where UN failed
Pence leaves door open to 2028 White House run, issues stark warning to GOP after midterm disaster
Couple accused of killing registered sex offender in pre-planned stabbing in Arizona desert
Newsom reveals when he’ll decide on 2028 White House bid amid growing speculation
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.
Trump’s spy chiefs put Republican leaders on the clock over ‘huge priority’ as power shift looms over Congress
The mistake newly-elected Dems admit they can’t afford to make with Trump after sweeping 2026 wins
Mamdani Set to Disband NYPD’s Counterterrorism and Protest Response Unit: Report
Fact Check: No, Guard Did Not Yell at Hegseth at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – Just Watch Raw Video and Listen
Rubio’s next move? Lawyers eye speech of ‘visionary’ leader for 2028 clues after GOP’s midterm wipeout
Empire State Building climbers face deportation fears after attorney claims plea deal fell apart
Schumer’s Senate leadership fight intensifies as key progressive backs challenger and more top headlines
Tough Guy Viciously Attacks Family Over Christian Tract in Halloween Candy, Then Becomes Total Coward When Internet Tracks Him Down
Huge GOP election losses spur debates about populist economics
Jeffries shredded over Hegseth impeachment snafu as Dem jockeys for speaker’s gavel
Three-quarters of House members seeking statewide office lost
In Haiti, Bukele cracks down where UN failed
Pence leaves door open to 2028 White House run, issues stark warning to GOP after midterm disaster
Couple accused of killing registered sex offender in pre-planned stabbing in Arizona desert
Newsom reveals when he’ll decide on 2028 White House bid amid growing speculation
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.
