Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

McConnell Signaling Trump Trial To Be Quick, If It Happens
The Hill ^ | 10/04/19 | ALEXANDER BOLTON

Posted on 10/04/2019 12:42:10 PM PDT by Enlightened1

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is signaling that he's prepared to dispose quickly of articles of impeachment against President Trump and that any upcoming trial in the Senate will look much different than the 1999 impeachment trial of President Clinton.

McConnell says he is required by the Senate rules to take up articles of impeachment, but notes that there is no requirement on how long such a trial must last.

"I would have no choice but to take it up. How long you're on it is a whole different matter," McConnell said on CNBC Monday.

Clinton's trial in 1999 took a month, with three days of testimony by the House impeachment managers and another three days for the defense. At one point, videotaped depositions of key figures in the Clinton controversy, including former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, were taken.

Senate Republican sources say no decision has yet been made about whether to hold a trial but predict if there is one, it's likely to be much shorter.

Senate GOP aides are pointing to a 1986 memo on the impeachment process by then-Senate parliamentarian Bob Dove asserting "the rules and precedents on impeachment argue for a rapid disposition of any impeachment trial in the United States Senate."

And GOP senators are already complaining about the impeachment process wasting time and crowding legislative items off the agenda.

Republicans say the partisan tone of the launch of the House impeachment effort undercuts the argument for a prolonged deliberative process in the Senate.

In the CNBC interview, McConnell hit Democrats for wasting time on impeachment that could otherwise be spent on passing a new trade deal to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement and other legislative priorities.

(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: impeachment; leadermcconnell; mitchmcconnell; senate; trial
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-38 next last
Mitch you can ignore it since it has nothing to do with high crimes and misdemeanors. Furthermore, you can use the nuclear option to shut it down.

If you really care about the U.S. Constitution, then do not play into the Democrats hands.

1 posted on 10/04/2019 12:42:10 PM PDT by Enlightened1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Enlightened1

translation: Trump will get to present his defense and declassify EVERYTHING before the election.


2 posted on 10/04/2019 12:43:20 PM PDT by Buckeye McFrog (Patrick Henry would have been an anti-vaxxer)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Enlightened1

Why? Why oh why would anyone not want and crave a trial in the Senate.

Trump gets his legal team, Trump gets his witnesses, Trump gets to expose for all to see what a sham this is and Mitch gets to shut the dems down anytime he wants.


3 posted on 10/04/2019 12:44:53 PM PDT by FlipWilson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Enlightened1

Mitch you can ignore it since it has nothing to do with high crimes and misdemeanors. Furthermore, you can use the nuclear option to shut it down.

If you really care about the U.S. Constitution, then do not play into the Democrats hands.


What you are suggesting is playing int the donkey’s hands. They want impeachment and then Mitch to ignore it, toss it in the trash or whatever so they can say Mitch is protecting Trump, a criminal. That way they can have it both ways.

If McConnell holds the trial, it creates the opportunity for the president and his witnesses to testify and well ruin the Democrats “clean” impeachment.

If we don’t challenge them, we lose.


4 posted on 10/04/2019 12:45:55 PM PDT by Trump.Deplorable
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Enlightened1

Love to see Shifty, the Bidens et. al. Subpoenaed and examined. Would turn into a corruption trial against the Dems and their abettors.


5 posted on 10/04/2019 12:51:38 PM PDT by Lent
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Enlightened1

> Mitch you can ignore it since it has nothing to do with high crimes and misdemeanors. <

It has to do with high crimes if the House says it does. The Constitution gives them the absolute power to say that. So the House can constitutionally - and legally - impeach Trump just for coming late to a news conference.

So Mitch can’t ignore it.


6 posted on 10/04/2019 12:53:13 PM PDT by Leaning Right (I have already previewed or do not wish to preview this composition.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Enlightened1

Even Clinton’s trial wasn’t a real trial. The testimony was taken by staff off premises. As the article notes, they only spent six days on it. Looks like Mitch is thinking much less than that.


7 posted on 10/04/2019 12:56:40 PM PDT by colorado tanker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FlipWilson

Mitch, just signaled it will be very fast.

I highly doubt he will have the opportunity you are talking about.


8 posted on 10/04/2019 12:56:41 PM PDT by Enlightened1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Lent

“Mr. Biden, is this you in this video?”


9 posted on 10/04/2019 12:58:03 PM PDT by Ingtar (Funds Robbed from Everyone Else. F.R.E.E.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Trump.Deplorable

The Deep State and China will pressure enough Senators to do it.

Trust me if they can ram it through the House, and they will do it though the Senate.

i would not bet on Senators to do the right thing in kangaroo trial.


10 posted on 10/04/2019 12:58:51 PM PDT by Enlightened1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Enlightened1

President Trump is entitled to the most rigorous delivery in history.; one that leaves seals his re-election.

Mitch McConnell and the Republican majority must give President Trump every opportunity to PROVE HIS INNOCENCE by exposing the lies, the widespread corruption and conspiracies of the other side.

President Trump must be allowed to nail Adam Schitt, Nancy Pelosi, the “whistleblower”, the WH spy (liar-leaker) , and other co-conspirators.


11 posted on 10/04/2019 12:59:41 PM PDT by onyx (#StandWithICE)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Leaning Right

Uh yes he can.

Watch the Great One talk about this.

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1177568259438239744?s=20


12 posted on 10/04/2019 1:00:59 PM PDT by Enlightened1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Enlightened1

The senate does not want the circus to expose their own clowns in their little globalist club and all their lobbyists pals.
So, they need it over quick...if it happens at all.


13 posted on 10/04/2019 1:03:34 PM PDT by right way right (May we remain sober over mere men, for God really is our only true hope.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FlipWilson

Mitch would not preside over the trial, Chief Justice Roberts would.


14 posted on 10/04/2019 1:05:04 PM PDT by erkelly
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Enlightened1

> I would not bet on Senators to do the right thing in kangaroo trial. <

The Roman senators were all buddy-buddy with Julius Caesar, then all of a sudden the knives came out. So yeah, anything is possible.


15 posted on 10/04/2019 1:05:07 PM PDT by Leaning Right (I have already previewed or do not wish to preview this composition.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Enlightened1

I’d suggest a 15 minute scathing speech calling out the house democrats for their farce impeachment for shameless political gains and breach of their duty to the American people. I’d then call for an immediate vote on the matter and after it’s dismissed adjourn for lunch. That should take about 30 minutes which is 29 minutes longer than the democrats silly stunt deserves.


16 posted on 10/04/2019 1:09:10 PM PDT by GaryCrow
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: erkelly
Is that what happened when Slick Willy Bill Clinton was impeached? Because I think that the leader of the Senate first has to “accept” the House recommendation on a trial and then he has the power to dismiss before proceeding to trial.
17 posted on 10/04/2019 1:10:15 PM PDT by ExSoldier ("Terrorists: They hate you yesterday, today, and tomorrow. End it, no more tomorrows for them!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Enlightened1

Mitch, with his usual nimbleness, will likely turn this into a three or four month spectacle in his quest for bipartisanship.


18 posted on 10/04/2019 1:16:11 PM PDT by damper99
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Enlightened1

Question: Would Mike Pence not be able to preside over Senate as its President for the Impeachment?

I also ring a bell that the Chief Justice may preside.

Sorry I’m too lazy to look up, but someone may know off hand.


19 posted on 10/04/2019 1:20:13 PM PDT by shalom aleichem (Barr and Durham! Get movin'. Time's awastin')
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Leaning Right

Hmmm..., lets think about this.

The CIA which is being celebrated and cheered on by the MSM has a track record of overthrowing democratically elected governments.

Geee, I wonder if we should trust them now???


20 posted on 10/04/2019 1:21:15 PM PDT by Enlightened1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-38 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson