Last week, the first arguments in President Donald Trump’s Senate impeachment trial unfolded, with Trump’s defense team closing out the week by delivering the first couple of hours of their defense on Saturday. So far, they’re focusing on two main points — outlandishly attacking Democrats and feverishly advocating against calling any witnesses for the trial, which will be again formally considered after opening arguments conclude. This weekend, House Intelligence Committee Chairman and lead impeachment case manager Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) denounced these complicit Republican attempts at a “defense” for the president during an appearance on Meet the Press.
As he pointed out — there’s no real way for Trump’s defenders to contest the facts of the president’s scheme to try and coerce Ukraine into investigating his opponents ahead of the 2020 election. The facts are clearly laid out; he did it. Thus, the president’s legal team is left with no space to argue except these desperate gambits against further witnesses.
Schiff noted, discussing the president’s lawyers:
‘I think they’re definitely afraid of what witnesses would have to say, and so their whole strategy has been to deprive the public of a fair trial. They don’t frame it that way, but that’s in essence it. They have a very heavy burden, though, with that, because the American people understand what a fair trial is. A fair trial requires witnesses. A fair trial does not consist of the person being charged agreeing with the judges to deprive the prosecution from being able to make a case.’
"What was so striking to me really about [Republicans'] case is they … don't really contest the president's scheme," @RepAdamSchiff says on #MTP. "They just try to make the case that 'You don't need a fair trial here.'" #IfItsSunday
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) January 26, 2020
Before the trial ever started, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said that he would be in “total coordination” with the White House while handling the trial — which is not exactly a hallmark of fairness or impartiality. He and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) eventually explicitly added that they would not be impartial jurors.
And now they’re here, reduced to trying to cover up for the president.
Schiff continued:
‘They basically acknowledge the scheme. They don’t really contest the president’s scheme… They just try to make the case that you don’t need a fair trial, you can make this go away. But look, if they’re successful in depriving the country of a fair trial, there is no exoneration. Americans will recognize that the country did not get what the Founders intended.’
Watch:
EXCLUSIVE: Adam Schiff says, even if the Trump defense team is “successful in depriving the country of a fair trial, there is no exoneration” #MTP #IfItsSunday@RepAdamSchiff: “Americans will recognize that the country did not get what the founders intended.” pic.twitter.com/vCB136XY68
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) January 26, 2020
It’s still unclear whether any additional witnesses will be called for the trial. The president’s defense team seems likely to continue their opening arguments at least through Monday and Tuesday, and then there will be a chance for written questions from Senators. And after that, the question of witnesses seems slated to be considered (again). In order to secure a majority in favor of witnesses, Democrats need four Republican Senators to defect and join their cause.
Meanwhile, Trump is continuing with his harsh antagonism of those who dare oppose him. This weekend, he sounded like a wannabe mob boss with a threat for Schiff. He tweeted:
‘Shifty Adam Schiff is a CORRUPT POLITICIAN, and probably a very sick man. He has not paid the price, yet, for what he has done to our Country!’
He’s off the rails.
Shifty Adam Schiff is a CORRUPT POLITICIAN, and probably a very sick man. He has not paid the price, yet, for what he has done to our Country!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2020
