Much has been said about the role of the Chief Justice in an impeachment trial, but make no mistake: the Senate will decide whether Bolton & others testify. Senate Republicans are responsible for taking Bolton up on his offer to tell his story. nytimes.com/2020/01/27/opi…
If Republicans refuse to hear from Bolton & other witnesses, it is their fault & their fault alone.
The Chief Justice can only issue subpoenas “authorized by [Senate standing rules] or by the Senate.” In other words, the Senate decides. That means the magical Republican moderates have to show a moral backbone. As Sen. Graham once said: “If there’s any doubt, call witnesses.”
The Framers rejected a judicial role in impeachments, finding “the Senate the most fit depositary of this important trust” & declining to “unite[] the Supreme Court with the Senate” to try impeachments together.
It is up to the Senate to provide a fair trial. Senators who vote against one have no excuse.
