Watch live: McConnell rejects Schumer's request for witnesses in Senate impeachment trial

Follow us:

[Spherex]

What an absolute disgraceful human being.

[KevinCoop]

He talks about Chuck S. talking to someone outside the Senate? Who has Mitch been talking to?

[clays]

Tired of these bad faith actors in the Republican Party. If just 10% of them had some kind of principle we wouldn’t be heading towards the end of our democracy

[dyvel]

Refusing to acknowledge the facts doesn't make a case thin. Refusing to honor the Constitution doesn't make an impeachment partisan. Refusing to eat his lettuce doesn't make Moscow Mitch less of a turtle.
But I do appreciate his attempt of hiding his lettuce in clear sight by wearing it as a tie.

[markphc]

On a more surprising note : Pope admits to being a Catholic

[rayenalowenssr]

Amazing how these crooks and traitors and cowards are law makers

[derrillyager]

The Chief Justice is to preside over the Trial. Mitch is a juror, not
to function as lawyer to the president and disavow the process. This man shows arragance and assumes some
Powers that are not his. The Chief
Justice should call a mistrial and
enforce the House Subpoena Power over the Executive so the
Constitution is maintained and not
Broken, Eyes Open America.

[ChipsMcC]

Hahaha now the dems know how it feels.

[MutantRaveMassacre]

Come on Kentucky, is this the best you can do?

[humanonearth]

Can this guy enunciate? He sounds like he has two marshmallows in his mouth.

[chucksteak]

McConnell translation:
You have no power here!

[jenniferbobennifer]

Isn't it time to start protesting outside of Mitchs house every day? This man has to get a different job.

[BrendanScottEcker]

Thank you Mitch McConnell for taking action and helping to shut down this corrupt and sham impeachment hearing. Trump is innocent!!! Vote REPUBLICAN 2020!!! God Bless America!!! CLINTON KILLED EPSTEIN!!!

[banshwa]

He isn't wrong. The Senate does not act as a fact finder in impeachment. That is the House's job. The Senate is the court. During their investigation the House had the power through procedure to enforce subpoenas by three options. They could hold a floor vote where if a majority voted in favor (which the Democrats have the majority) the subject of the subpoena would be held in contempt and could be arrested by the House's Sergeant At Arms and held until they comply. This hasn't been done by any chamber since 1934. They could request the US attorney of DC to file criminal charges. They can also have their lawyers file a civil suit where a court would decide if compliance is required. With this option not following the court ruling can put that person in jail. Schiff did not use either of these options and instead fast tracked the hearing. For the impeachment or against it understand that Schiff did not do his duty in this investigation. Just like with any court case it is the duty of the prosecution, which is what the House will operate as, to build a case. It is not up to the judge or the jury to do that for them. The court, the Senate, can only enact a subpoena once it is requested by the party, in this case the House. A member of the court, which is what Schumer would be, can't request the subpoena for the prosecution. That is not the procedure. Want impeachment or not procedure should be followed by both houses. It maintains the integrity of the process and the end outcome. Then if guilt is found it was done through evidence and fact with all parties able to state their cases. This makes it so if someone calls it a sham it has no foundation because the process was fair.

[LeeDaHitman]

Good Job Senator McConnell 🇺🇸 Trump 2020! USA!

[anthonychism]

Odd, Lev,
Egor,
Rudy,
William Barr,
trump,
Mick mulvaney,
Sec, Perry
Sec, Mike Pom,
And other's as well as thousands of documents, eaither didn't show up or get handed over. Would be interesting to see the full scale of no-shows and everything that wasn't handed over to the house. (In a list format). Maybe the Senate can make it happen!

[secretfornow]

According to Rule XXV of the Senate Rules in Impeachment Trials, all senators must make the following oath: "I solemnly swear [or affirm, as the case may be] that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of [the person being impeached], now pending, I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws: So help me God."

However, the two most powerful members of the senate majority have announced in no uncertain terms that they have made up their minds before hearing any witnesses or seeing evidence from either side, and that they are “not trying to be fair jurors”. This is in direct conflict to the oath they must take before taking part in an impeachment trial.

These are their exact words:

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel stated publicly that decisions on the impeachment trial would be made "in total coordination with the White House counsel." Also saying, "There will be no difference between the President's position and our position in how to handle this"

Lyndsey Graham went a step further saying, "This thing will come to the Senate, and it will die quickly, and I will do everything I can to make it die quickly”. Later adding “I'm not trying to pretend to be a fair juror here."

The 3 equal branches of the US government have been compromised by a senate majority that has literally and unabashedly thrown their constitutional duty out the window by being completely subservient to the President. Even if they support the president or believe he did nothing wrong, they should be willing to hold a fair and balanced trial by allowing both the prosecution and defense to have equal time in presenting their cases.

Republican leadership have publicly announced that they are already working with the White House attorneys and that they will not allow a fair trial to happen. The executive branch is now in control of the senate and our government is spiraling out of control.

If the Republicans truly believe that Trump was treated unfairly by the Democrats in the House, then should hold a fair, balanced and thorough trial in the Senate and PROVE to the US and to the world that the president did nothing wrong.

The fact that they refuse to hear witnesses and want to finish it before it starts shows their lack of concern for truth or fairness. This is a scary and sad time for our nation and a risk to the foundations of our government.

Imagine if before Nixon resigned, the senate majority announced they were moving to dismiss as quickly as possible because the tapes didn’t prove anything. That is where we are at.

[jimmyvegas]

Were are the real Republicans? Could use a John McCain right now

[bolee]

One would think if these witnesses had anything to say they would have been called to testify in the House proceedings. Which makes me wonder why they want them to testify now?

[DeniseFrameLeitch]

Mitch McConnell is the weakest man in American politics. This isn't due to the fact that he doesn't wield power as a Senator. The reason that McConnell is weak comes from the fact that he allows himself to be Trump's subordinate. He's not alone, of course, but he is certainly got the most to lose if he speaks or acts out of turn. In a tight second, we have Lindsey Graham. These two senators are not impartial! Even going so far as to say so on national television. This will go against the oath during the Impeachment Trial. They are trying to enable an autocracy where Americans will have less power from their votes than they do already.