(1/6) Day #5 was a short day, just two hours of presentation from the President’s lawyers. After the session I went up to the gallery with my colleagues Tammy Duckworth, Jeff Merkley, and Leader Chuck Schumer to do a quick press response to the proceedings.
(2/6) After three days of comprehensive, thorough review of the facts and evidence from the House Managers, the President’s lawyers tried to to poke holes in the House Managers’ arguments.
(3/6) What was interesting to me is how their presentation makes the case even stronger for why this trial needs witnesses and the documents.
(4/6) If the President’s lawyers really believe the witnesses we’ve heard from so far don’t have all the facts about what happened here, why not hear from the witnesses, and see the documents, that could clear all this up? I don’t think this question is going to go away.
(5/6) I’ve never been a member of a jury before—I’ve never even been called for jury duty. But it never dawned on me that my 1st trial would be in the U.S. Senate, & it would not include even this most basic element—witnesses, & ability for both sides to cross examine witnesses.
(6/6) On the good side, the President’s lawyers were civil and measured, which I think will help us all listen with the “empathetic attentiveness” that the Senate Chaplin has encouraged.
It will be good to have a day or so to think on all this, and clear my head for next week.
It will be good to have a day or so to think on all this, and clear my head for next week.
