Cianna Hope Reeves
Ediot-in-Chief
As the Senate impeachment trial continues to unfold, a puzzling moment in Monday’s hearing revealed that key evidence of President Donald Trump’s obstruction may be inside of a book.
White House lawyers spent their second day defending Trump, which has been considered the most critical impeachment trial thus far in history.
In an unpublished book by former national security adviser, John Bolton, he discusses Trump’s tie to Ukraine. This gave Democrats more edge to call on new witnesses in hopes to prove the president’s misconduct.
According to the New York Times, Bolton’s book is entitled “The Room Where It Happened.” He shares that Trump told him he wanted to continue withholding nearly $400 million in security assistance to Ukraine until officials in Ukraine helped investigate Democrats, including former Vice President Joe Biden.
Democrats are pushing for one familiar politician to speak– Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, one of four GOP politicians Democrats want to obtain support from in order to get eyewitnesses.
“It’s pretty fair to say that John Bolton has a relevant testimony to provide to those of us who are sitting in impartial justice,” said Romney, according to ABC News.
While the White House wants the impeachment trial to reach its end, Democrats added fuel to the fire when requesting for people to testify and for more Republicans to agree on it.
GOP Sen. Susan Collins said the reports about Bolton’s book “strengthen the case for witnesses.”
“We deal with transcript evidence, we deal with publicly available information,” said Trump’s attorney, Jay Sekulow. “We do not deal with speculation.”
This trial showdown dates back to December 2019 when the two articles of impeachment were passed by the House.
It stems from the Democratic party accusing Trump of abusing his power and obstructing Congress by soliciting influence from the authorities of Ukraine about 2020 presidential candidate, Joe Biden. The second article accuses Trump of blocking witnesses and documents to prevent Congress’s investigation.
The impeachment trial began on Tuesday, Jan. 21 in the Senate. Opening arguments were made over the next following days as Democrats advocated together and called out the president’s actions.
Throughout the first day of hearings, documents and additional evidence were enough to extend the trial.
Three days later Democrat Adam B. Schiff of California, the lead House manager, summed up the arguments stating that the allegations brought against President Trump have been proven, insisting “Donald J. Trump has abused the power of the presidency.” Schiff concluded pleading for a fair trial.
Javaris Hart, a senior chemistry major from Atlanta, Ga., shared his opinion on the impeachment trial.
“I believe that the impeachment is a political power move by the Democratic party, which is aimed to pull other candidates, such as Bernie Sanders, away from the campaign trail and to slander President Trump’s name. This is all being done to help Joe Biden’s presidential campaign.”
Hailey Singleton, a junior political science major from Madison, Wis., questioned the timing of the impeachment process, insisting that it was long overdue.
“From him being manipulative, as well as falsifying evidence and federal documents just to make himself look good and not really have concern for the American people or his administration, shows his character and what he truly values, which is himself and only himself.”
A Jackson State University faculty member also chimed in her thoughts about President Trump’s impeachment trial.
College of Business Administration professor Saundra McFarland believes that the trial gives insight and works as an example for her Intro to Legal Aspects of Business class.
“As far as policy is concerned, I think it is interesting to see how this will play out and what the impact will be, especially being that we have an election coming up.”
According to The Wall Street Journal, in order for Trump to be remain in office, fewer than 67 must vote to convict him on final votes on both articles of impeachment.
Currently, the Senate is compiled of 47 Democrats and 53 Republicans.
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