On Sunday, several Democrats ripped Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) for already vowing that they won’t convict President Donald Trump even before the Senate trial begins.
During a joint appearance on ABC News’ “This Week,” Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Jerry Nadler (D-NY) took aim at McConnell for declaring an alliance with Trump’s White House lawyers, and Graham for baldly stating he’s “not trying to pretend to be a fair juror here.”
“They have to pledge to do impartial justice,” Nadler told “This Week” host George Stephanopoulos. “And here you have the majority of the Senate, in effect the foreman of the jury, saying he’s going to work hand in glove with the defense attorney.”
“And that’s in violation of the oath that they’re about to take, and it’s a complete subversion of the constitutional scheme,” he continued.
Nadler says McConnell and Graham's vows to vote against impeachment before the Senate trial is a "complete subversion" of the Constitution. pic.twitter.com/FDS6PGofJI
— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) December 15, 2019
“I think we see clearly what’s going on here with the comments of Lindsey Graham and others, and that is they don’t want the American people to see the facts,” Schiff said. “They realize what’s been presented in the House is already overwhelming, but there’s more damning evidence to be had, and they don’t want the American people to see that.”
“And I think that’s disgraceful,” he added.
Schiff says McConnell and Graham "don't want the American people to see the facts" of Trump's misconduct. pic.twitter.com/y3WMb9sBp3
— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) December 15, 2019
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) told CNN host Jake Tapper that McConnell and Graham’s remarks are symptomatic of Republicans’ acceptance of Trump’s misconduct.
“It’s why I’m so disappointed in my colleagues, this see no evil, hear no evil attitude, that they don’t want to look at anything to–that might disagree with their world view of Republicanism and this President,” he said.
Sherrod Brown says he's "so disappointed" in the GOP senators who've already made up their minds about impeachment. pic.twitter.com/p0xBIPytCM
— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) December 15, 2019
And the House Repubs had the audacity to charge that the Dem leadership was rushing to judgment?? Such self-serving BS!
Yet another day of infamy for the GOP.
Consistent bastards…
Hope they keep bringing it with this narrative and get tougher as this thing goes along.
The Republicans in the Senate are going to do everything they accused the Democrats of doing in the House…no witnesses, rush to judgement, decision already made, twisted procedures. They will spin it, and their true believers will go along with the idea that “Trump is innocent so a real trial is a waste of time”. I really hope this backfires on them though, I think most Americans would want a proper trial for something like this, and a show trial biased towards Trump should offend them…and may get them to ask why the Republicans cheated so hard, as an innocent person should have nothing to fear in a fair trial.
Josh’s piece on this topic was spot-on. Dems need to bang this drum on impartiality, the constitution, oversight, separate and equal branches, rule of law, etc. until the damn drum breaks.
Then get another drum.
Edit: Chris Wallace today asked Pam Bondi about the Senate Oath for impeachment (good question) then let her skate on the answer; no follow-up (why I believe these recent articles about Wallace “attacking” Trump are BS. He is drinking the Fox Kool-Aid also).