Top Senate leaders clash over impeachment trial

Reuters Videos
Updated

With Democrats and Republicans at a standoff over the impeachment trial in the senate for the president, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Fox & Friends Monday that Republicans have not ruled out calling witnesses.

(SOUNDBITE) SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL SAYING:

"We haven't ruled out witnesses. We've said, 'Let's handle this case just like we did with President Clinton.' Fair is fair.""

It's been a major sticking point in drafting rules for the proceedings…

With Democrats- Lead by Senator Chuck Schumer - sticking by his request to have four witnesses subpoenaed for the Senate trial.

But the top Republican leader said any decision on witnesses should be made after the trial begins next year, which is not what Democrats had requested..

(SOUNDBITE) SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL SAYING:

"All I'm asking of Schumer is that we treat Trump as we treated Clinton, we had a procedure that was approved 100 to nothing, Schumer voted for it, to go through the opening arguments to have a written question period and then based upon that deciding what witnesses to call…"

Republicans have a 53-seat majority in the Senate, where 51 votes are needed to pass a set of rules for the Trump trial.

Last Thursday, McConnell and Schumer failed to reach an agreement on rules for the trial, which McConnell said would be the Senate's first order of business in the new year, AFTER Trump was impeached on two charges over his pressuring Ukraine to announce an investigation of former vice president Joe Biden…

But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi withheld sending the articles of impeachment to the senate, which would trigger a trial, in a bid to pressure Senate Republicans..

Monday - the President blasted Pelosi on twitter, writing:

"What right does Crazy Nancy have to hold up this Senate trial. None! She has a bad case and would rather not have a negative decision. This Witch Hunt must end NOW with a trial in the Senate, or let her default & lose. No more time should be wasted on this Impeachment Scam!"

Democrats want to hear from acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and former national security adviser John Bolton.. and others.. WHO were all blocked by the White house from testifying during the impeachment hearings.

On Sunday, Schumer continued his call for witness testimony…

(SOUNDBITE) SENATE MINORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER SAYING:

"Let the witnesses testify. What are you afraid of?"

Also Monday - in a court filing - House Democrats suggested that more impeachment charges are possible depending on whether Democrats get to hear from former White House Counsel Don McGahn. Democrats are asking the court to enforce a subpoena for McGahn's testimony.

Trump has said he did nothing wrong and there is little chance Trump will be convicted and removed from office through a trial in the Republican-led Senate…