Because Graham, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, who makes the rules and calls witnesses came out and said he was not interested is calling any witnesses. He made an earlier comment about not having a trial. Then said we would have a trial with witnesses. Then he flip flopped again and said no witnesses. Now he is quiet. And Mitch said he will do what Trump wants.
Graham is scared Schiff less that they will find out that he and McCain along with the DNC that were also involved in framing Trump. This would be great to get rid of this idiot!
I have become concerned about Lindsay Graham. He really does flip-flop and that makes me uncomfortable. The ONLY way this will be put behind us is for that trial in the Senate to take place, because the lies and the corruption of the Democrats, the FBI, the CIA or any Republicans involved in all that need to be exposed so that justice can be found. The American people, in the end, are the victims of all this. The dark secrets must be exposed. I will forever think that some big time alliances took place against this President if the trial he deserves does not take place. It will deepen the paranoia among us, the voters, about who we can trust. Right now, I trust only a handful of the younger conservatives in the House and Senate. The Swamp must be cleaned up and the disinfectant can only be found in that trial that our President wants. I want it and everyone I know wants it. Give us justice! Call out the rascals who have been hiding whose names we cannot know while they have printed the names, addresses and phone number of our brightest and best, putting them and their families in danger. It will be an outrage if our President does not get his day in court. It will allow the weaponization of the House of Representative against him to go unpunished. Please, Senators, for the sake of liberty for all, go forward with that trial. I don’t know what Senator Graham’s deal is but I do not like it. It is up to you, Senator McConnell. Please do it for the people.
I think there is merit to both arguments:
1) A quick dismissal or acquittal, if offered, is by far the safest way to ensure a win. These Republicans are lawyers, and are trained to manage risk and avoid uncertainty. And remember, this is not the same as “cutting a deal”, and pleading guilty to a lesser charge. They are not suggesting the President concede anything regarding the articles of impeachment. They also point out that a quick acquittal would not rule out the DOJ calling these same witnesses later as part of a separate Spygate trial.
2) On the other hand, the ability to call witnesses in a full impeachment trial would seem to be the perfect way of finally introducing the facts of the SpyGate scandal into the mainstream of public discourse, while importantly preserving the President’s “victim status”. As the defendant, President Trump would be able to legally turn the tables on his accusers while remaining inoculated from the perception that he is motivated by political retribution. Meanwhile, since he knows he is innocent, there is no risk of surprise evidence surfacing (at least not real evidence).
I can see merit in both arguments - and I do NOT think Mitch or Lindsey are sabotaging the President here or being gutless - they are just advising him to take the safer course.
Remember, none of the elements of their case are based on truth, so we know they will stop at nothing - we can’t rule out the possibility that given another bite at the apple, they could fabricate a piece of “evidence” damaging to the President.
After all, as Schumer said, the deep state has ways of getting you six ways from Sunday.
Much as I’d like to see these witnesses called, I see a lot of wisdom in scoring the quick win and calling it a day.