GOP senators shouldn't bail out Democrats' sinking impeachment case
In their latest impeachment effort, Democrats argue that their case is “overwhelming” and that their facts are “uncontested.” Yet, Democrats are demanding additional witnesses in the Senate, including former national security adviser John Bolton and White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney. At the same time, they accuse Republican senators of a “cover-up” for not acquiescing to Democrats' demands.
Democrats cannot have it both ways. Since their case is not a slam dunk, Americans should ask House Democrats why they rushed the impeachment process and refused to pursue witnesses and documents by regularly available legal means.
Last year, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff held depositions with 17 witnesses in his top-secret bunker. He chose these witnesses. The depositions were held behind closed doors, keeping the American people, the news media and most members of Congress in the dark until the transcripts were later released. Chairman Schiff concocted a narrative, hoping to sway public opinion in favor of impeachment. Even the president’s counsel was prevented from participating in the hearings and depositions before the intelligence committee.
In the few public hearings, Chairman Schiff blocked GOP requests for witnesses, ensuring he could continue to cherry-pick testimony that fit his narrative. He sent his impeachment report to the House Judiciary Committee with undue haste.
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During the only hearing before the House Judiciary Committee — at which no fact witnesses were allowed to testify — professor Jonathan Turley, a prominent legal scholar, warned Democrats that they were sitting on the thinnest impeachment record in history because of their rush to impeach by Christmas. Others also warned Schiff, Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler and Speaker Nancy Pelosi about their self-imposed timeline to impeach.
Ignoring warnings, Democrats impeached President Donald Trump and admitted that they lacked certain witnesses or documents to complete their record. Republican senators should not bail out the sinking Democratic case against the president. Rather, Democrats must explain why they refused to use their constitutional authority to gather evidence to fully support their case before bringing their weak articles to the Senate.
Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., is a member of the House Judiciary Committee and chairman of the House Freedom Caucus.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Impeachment case sinking. Republicans shouldn't bail out Democrats.
