Trump Impeachment Trial: Well, THIS Is Awkward
With everything we’re reading about the impeachment trial, there doesn’t seem to be a resolution on the fact that top Republicans have sworn to be both impartial and not impartial, i.e., totally committed to acquitting the defendant before the trial begins and the evidence introduced.
At the same time, no one seems anxious to address the minor detail that bushels of new evidence damning to the defendant’s case are coming forth on virtually a daily base. Isn’t it customary to gather the evidence before the trial.
Craig,
Two points you seem to have forgotten.
1) This is not a normal trail procedure the Senate is only required to try the president on the information contained within the Bill of Impeachment. The President can decide what information he wishes to introduce in his defense.
The Senate has no power of investigation beyond those contained in the Bill of Impeachment.
2) Having read the Bill of Impeachment, it is quite proper for any Senator to decide the Bill inadequate. Any Senator deciding that the Bill lacks substance, is not obliged to carry out any “investigation” or call for further evidence, any more than a jury-person can decide to conduct their own prosecutorial inquiry to find some dirt not mention by the prosecutor.
Senators are obliged by the Constitution to carefully listen and access any additional information offered by defense witnesses.
Otherwise it takes a majority of Senators to seek other witnesses to be heard.
Since it’s obvious to all but the nuttiest of “never Trumpers” that the Bill of Impeachment is woefully lacking in credible evidence, the Senate will quickly acquit.
The real question remains, will Senators Warren,Saunders et who are hopeful Presidential candidates, stand aside as having an obvious “conflict of interest” when adjudicating on the current President?