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Senate trial needs witnesses Trump wouldn’t allow in the House, says Durbin
pbs.org ^ | January 15, 2020

Posted on 01/17/2020 7:20:49 AM PST by lowbridge

Many questions remain regarding how the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump will be conducted. Among the points of contention is whether or not witnesses should be called. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., joins Lisa Desjardins to discuss why he believes “you can’t have a trial without witnesses and evidence” and how it’s “no surprise” that most Americans are not following impeachment closely.

Read the Full Transcript

-snip

Thank you, Senator, for joining us.

As you just heard, I asked Senator Barrasso, why not plan on calling witnesses now?

I want to ask you the reverse question. Why should you plan on that now? Why not wait to see what happens in opening arguments?

Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill.:

I respect John Barrasso. And I have to tell you, I respect the — have to give a healthy respect and say that I disagree with him when it comes to witnesses.

He said at one point, if they wanted to call the witnesses, they could have called him in the House. No, John, the second count of the impeachment is the refusal of the president to cooperate when it came to discovery of witnesses and documents in the House of Representatives.

So there was no opportunity to call Mick Mulvaney, the president's chief of staff, by the House members who put together the articles of impeachment.

Why do I think witnesses would be appropriate? Because I spent most of my life before Congress as a trial lawyer. You can't have a trial without witnesses and evidence. You can have a cover-up without witnesses, but you can't have a trial.

And I don't think we ought to rule out the possibility that witnesses will get us closer to the truth, whatever that may be.

(Excerpt) Read more at pbs.org ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: durbin; impeachment; trump
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To: lowbridge

If the “witnesses” who (were already coached by Schiff) presented evidence so compelling that the House DemocRATs had no choice but to impeach, then those same witnesses are sufficient for a Senate trial.

But, if they were unable to provide any testimony that the President committed any crime, calling more witnesses is not going to make a difference. Nothing from nothing leaves nothing.


21 posted on 01/17/2020 8:21:17 AM PST by exDemMom (Current visual of the hole the US continues to dig itself into: http://www.usdebtclock.org)
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To: CatOwner
A good number of the GOP in the Senate have no fear about removing this POTUS.

I can come up with 8-10 likely names that would be fearless. The rinos can't remove Trump, but they don't want him reelected.

22 posted on 01/17/2020 8:30:25 AM PST by damper99
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To: KevinB

If a Democrite’s lips are moving, he, she or ze is lying.


23 posted on 01/17/2020 8:33:21 AM PST by kiryandil (Chris Wallace: Because someone has to drive the Clown Car)
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To: lowbridge

Executive Privilege, a term only used when a Democrat occupies the White House.


24 posted on 01/17/2020 8:34:48 AM PST by Kickass Conservative (Kill a Commie for your Mommy.)
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To: lowbridge

If Trump didn’t allow these witnesses in the House what malkes Durbin feel he’ll allow them in the Senate?


25 posted on 01/17/2020 9:26:02 AM PST by Captain Compassion (I'm just sayin')
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To: kabar
No, Adam is immune to lying in front of the Senate.

He needs to face charges in court.

26 posted on 01/17/2020 9:46:45 AM PST by G Larry (There is no great virtue in bargaining with the Devil)
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To: G Larry

The ‘cover up’ is the Dems helping Schiff and his pals cover up their criminal activity in Ukraine and elsewhere with this sham impeachment. As long as this circus goes on, investigation of the actual crimes by Pelosi’s son, Kerry’s stepson, Adam Schiff, Hunter Biden and so forth can’t be investigated.

The Senate should refuse to recognize Schiff as a trial manager as he is a fact witness to the treasonous conspiracy playing out now.


27 posted on 01/17/2020 9:58:24 AM PST by calenel (The Democratic Party is a Criminal Enterprise. It is the Progressive Mafia.)
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To: G Larry

I want him before the American people. Highly doubtful he will ever be prosecuted.


28 posted on 01/17/2020 10:20:46 AM PST by kabar
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To: Hoosier-Daddy
"Trump needs to turn the tables here and put the Dims on trial. Discover what is truly behind this coup."

The government is behind this coup and the government is not going to put itself on trial. We can't win that game.

What we need to do is just dismiss and move on. When we have the hammer use it immediately. We can remove their seat at the table by IGNORING their rants and just crush them the very instant we have the power. Stop even acknowledging that they are even in the room.

29 posted on 01/17/2020 10:30:13 AM PST by precisionshootist
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To: lowbridge

SENATE TRIAL NEEDS WITNESSES THAT THE DEMOCRATS WOULDN’T ALLOW IN THE HOUSE!


30 posted on 01/17/2020 10:35:51 AM PST by JerseyDvl ("If you're going through hell, keep going.")
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To: lowbridge

Last time I checked, Separation of Powers gives Pelosi control of the House.
Trump can’t do anything about it


31 posted on 01/17/2020 10:45:16 AM PST by Zathras
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To: lowbridge

Whenever one of these Dim Senators say they can’t have a trial without evidence, the immediate Repub response should be....See, even the Dims admit there was NO EVIDENCE for impeachment!


32 posted on 01/17/2020 12:56:31 PM PST by nhbob1
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To: lowbridge

I’m sorry but didn’t the House block the Republicans from bringing their own witnesses. We should extend the same courtesy.


33 posted on 01/17/2020 1:10:09 PM PST by Sam Gamgee
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To: rktman; KevinB

Sen. Durbin is running for re-election. If you know some Illinois Republicans, please ask them to read this article:
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200211/robert-marshall-candidate-profile

Dr. Marshall is an army veteran and former Burr Ridge village trustee. He’s pro-life, pro-gun rights, anti-illegal alien, and pro-tax cuts.


34 posted on 02/11/2020 10:25:24 AM PST by PhilCollins
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