Next week presents a basic test for the Senate, specifically Republicans. And they still haven’t explained why this trial, unlike every other trial, won’t accept documents that would help to illuminate what happened, and hear from witnesses with first hand knowledge of the case.
They are going with something like this is a “pencils down” moment when you are taking a school test. If something wasn’t available to the House then it doesn’t count I guess? But that’s not how trials work - that’s not how impartial justice is administered.
And to be clear, it’s not as though Democrats are trying to drag this out until the election or something. A few more depositions and documents wouldn’t take more than a week. There is no high principle being invoked. They just appear to be afraid of the what might be disclosed.
Leader McConnell appears to be abiding by the political principle - “when you have the votes, take the vote.” That’s fair enough when trying to pass legislation. But this isn’t that. This is the most solemn thing we can do. And we owe it to the American people to do it right.
