Thread by @MMineiro_CNS

Happy birthday to the 17th chief justice of the United States, John Roberts!

Senate impeachment trial picks back up at 1PM. I'll be at Dem and GOP press conferences starting at 11AM for a rundown on both parties take on what to expect this week. @CourthouseNews

And here we go, Schumer starts out saying Dems have called for a fair trial with witnesses and docs for months, calls Bolton bombshell “stunning”

Schumer says the senate is starring a White House cover up in the face.

“If there was ever even a shred of logic left to not hear witnesses and review the documents, Mr. Bolton’s book just erased it.”

.@SenatorBaldwin “It’s gut check time for members of the United States Senate."

@SenatorBaldwin Cardin says the senate is responsible for developing its own record for the impeachment trial and not just rely on the House investigation findings.

@SenatorBaldwin First step Schumer said is to get four GOP members to vote to call witnesses, doesn't address reports on trading Bolton testimony for calling Hunter Biden.

@SenatorBaldwin Re calling Hunter Biden to testify, Schumer says "We think witnesses that are not eye witnesses to what happened, documents that are not relevant to what happened, shouldn't be part of this plain and simple."

@SenatorBaldwin Schumer says eyes of America are on Senate republicans.

@SenatorBaldwin Schumer not giving any insight into which Republicans might break left. “I never get into any specific names but there is increased pressure."

@SenatorBaldwin Schumer says he hopes the weight of truth with weigh heavily on the shoulder of senate republicans.

@SenatorBaldwin Schumer gets some laughs from senate press corp when he calls on a reporter in a blue blazer and then corrects himself, teal.

"I feel good that I know what teal is, and mauve! I know mauve now."

@SenatorBaldwin Asked if he's hopeful GOP will vote for witnesses Schumer says "We hope and pray."

@SenatorBaldwin Up next, GOP presser. Lindsey Graham was originally scheduled to participate but will not be showing up.

GOP press conference was on, off and now is back on, minus Lindsey Graham.

Sen Braun comes straight out, tell reporters the Bolton bombshell doesn't change anything.

"The president has already acknowledged that what Bolton is contending...is not the case."

Sen Barrasso holding up the NYT article says the Bolton report doesn't change anything, compares the impeachment trial to Kavanaugh confirmation w/daily updates to "inflame emotion," influence the outcome.

"There is nothing new hear to what the house managers have been saying."

Bruan gives a little admitting the Bolton report could change some GOP colleagues opinion -- adds it could make a "dynamic difference" for some.

Braun "I'm not going to deny it's going to change the decimal level and the intensity of which we are going to talk about witnesses."

Asked why Graham skipped the press conference Barrasso joked walking out that door that he got surrounded by press on the first floor and couldn’t get up.

“An hour and a half ago?” a reporter responded.

From the senate gallery...

Senators are still focused but have slowed taking notes as Ken Starr takes them through the "corridors of history"

One door attendant, some visitors snoozing

Lindsey Graham has no notebook on his desk for the first time, is leaned back hands folded

House Republican Mark Meadows is in the chamber, seated on the back bench on the GOP side.

As Starr made the point that "impeachment in Britain is dead" Sen Cotton hid a yawn behind some papers.

Senate chaplain opened today's impeachment trial quoting from John 8:32.

"And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Sen Blumenthal telling reporters on a short break that Kenn Starr just gave new meaning to the word hypocrisy.

Sen Braun said he would not deny that the Bolton report could make a “dynamic difference” and “move the needle” for GOP colleagues still grappling with the issue of calling witnesses. @CourthouseNews
courthousenews.com/dems-hoist-man…

@CourthouseNews Dep WH counsel just based legal argument for blocking subpoenaed testimony/docs on executive privilege & absolute immunity for senior presidential advisers.

1) No senior level Trump officials claimed executive privilege

2) DC federal court said "absolute immunity" is a no go

@CourthouseNews Philbin hit back at House claim that courts have ruled in favor of the WH answering subpoenas saying the two cases are on appeal at the D.C. Circuit.

True. But Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's opinion is 120 pages of legal analysis. Read it for yourself>>> courthousenews.com/wp-content/upl…

Federal judge shuts down White House claim of "absolute immunity" for senior presidential advisers.

ipse dixit = a dogmatic and unproven statement

Arguing for absolute immunity for senior presidential advisers, Philbin said "If you want to have good decision making there has to be that zone of confidentiality."

Pam Bondi is up now as defense counsel laying out Burisma corruption. The irony can't be missed.

Quick context, Trump Foundation broke the law in 2016 donating $25K to a political group backing Bondi, then Florida Attorney General. More from @CREWcrew citizensforethics.org/trump-foundati…

Sen Cruz says he doesn’t believe it’s necessary to hear John Bolton testify, adding Hunter Biden is the top witness to call.

Meadows said NYT report on Bolton manuscript may have been a Dem leak. Schiff’s response:

“Of course not. It came as quite a surprise to all of the House managers when the New York Times story came out. But I guess that's the best that Representative Meadows has right now.“

Schiff tells reporters that Trump and allies evidently had the Bolton manuscript and wanted to suppress it.

“They were deathly afraid that the American people would find out.”

Dershowitz is up. He’s got a couple antiquated books on the lectern next to his statement with handwritten notes in the margins (other Trump defense counsel had WH binders with lamented prepared statements).

As Dershowitz speaks, a back row of five GOP senators including Romney and Johnson are standing behind their desks.

Roberts has been jotting down notes most of the trial. Not today.

Dershowitz opened up tonight saying the Democrats have to prove their case behind a reasonable doubt. He’s wrong, and @SenWhitehouse called him on it.

“When you open with something that everybody in the room knows is false, it's kind of a long downhill.“

.@SenWhitehouse “When you're saying that the standard has to be criminal, how is it that you then don't look at intent, when criminal intent mens rea is the heart of criminal law.“

Correction, Dershowitz wrongly argued “beyond” a reasonable doubt, not behind, was the standard to meet (thumbs slowing down after a long day)