Last week, we reported that the Senate called new witnesses in every impeachment trial in the last century. Well, we went to the Library of Congress to see records not available online.
It turns out the precedent goes back to America’s first completed impeachment trial in 1804.
It turns out the precedent goes back to America’s first completed impeachment trial in 1804.
In the 1800s, summoning impeachment witnesses was not an easy task: contacting witnesses involved handwritten letters and traveling to the trial meant riding there on horseback. Some witnesses even died before they could testify.
Nevertheless, in Judge Pickering’s 1804 trial, the Senate brought in four new witnesses who did not testify in the House.
In 1805 during Justice Chase’s trial, 50 new witnesses testified.
Yet in 2020, calling even John Bolton seems to be beyond some senators.
In 1805 during Justice Chase’s trial, 50 new witnesses testified.
Yet in 2020, calling even John Bolton seems to be beyond some senators.
Trump’s impeachment trial must not be allowed to break with more than 200 years of precedent.
If the Senate could call new witnesses in the era of handwritten letters, and horses, they can in an era where new evidence breaks on Twitter nearly every day.
citizensforethics.org/press-release/…
If the Senate could call new witnesses in the era of handwritten letters, and horses, they can in an era where new evidence breaks on Twitter nearly every day.
citizensforethics.org/press-release/…
