Alexander’s ‘No’ Almost Guarantees Witness-less Senate Trial

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 19: Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) speaks with reporters at the U.S. Capitol January 19, 2018 in Washington, DC. A continuing resolution to fund the government has passed the House of Representa... WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 19: Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) speaks with reporters at the U.S. Capitol January 19, 2018 in Washington, DC. A continuing resolution to fund the government has passed the House of Representatives but faces a stiff challenge in the Senate. (Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN)’s announcement that he will not support additional witnesses or document subpoenas in the impeachment trial, almost guarantees that no witnesses will be called.

At best, Democrats can hope for a 50-50 tie when the Senate votes Friday on a resolution on whether to allow for the House or Trump’s team to request witness or document subpoenas.

There’s a chance that Chief Justice John Roberts — who is serving as the presiding officer, a role in other circumstances played by the Vice President — could cast a vote to break the tie. But there’s no requirement that he cast such a vote, and Roberts’ desire to appear above the political fray suggests he won’t.

There’s precedent in impeachments for the presiding chief justice for casting tie-breaking votes and for declining to break ties.

Without such a tiebreaker, the motion to open the door to witnesses will fail.

So far, the only other witness-curious Republican to announce her vote on Friday was Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), who said she will support Friday’s witness motion. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) has also sent strong signals that he’ll support it, even though he has not yet issued his official position.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), the moderate whose vote Democrats will need just for a tie, said she will release a statement with her position on Friday morning.

Murkowski delaying her decision overnight puts Republicans — and Roberts — in a position of waiting to see if Roberts will break a tie, or if Alexander’s opposition to witnesses will make it less likely that she’ll support the measure.

Alexander and Murkwoski met in private at the last major break in Thursday’s impeachment proceedings.

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Notable Replies

  1. There was really no doubt about this. And their excuse to acquit, all of them, even Collins, will be a variation on, “if a Republican does it, it is not a crime.” This party needs to be crushed, incinerated, and the earth salted in order for the nation to have a future.

  2. Peak stupid, peak corruption and peak dis-assembling of the Constitution. THis was not even remotely a trial - it was a full pardon.

  3. Avatar for nemo nemo says:

    “Witnessless trial”? There is no trial. Republicans are voting to destroy the impeachment power. Democrats need to be saying something–anything–in unison about the constitutional crisis we’re in. The Republican president now has carte blanche to continue with his scheme to undermine the 2020 election to benefit the Republican party. We no longer have a democracy, we no longer have fair and open elections. Democrats need to say it–and to act accordingly. No more legislation. No more judicial appointments. Call for a national strike–whatever it takes.

  4. #Alexander’s ‘No’ Almost Guarantees Wit-less Senate Trial

    FIFY

  5. Avatar for PeeJ PeeJ says:

    So nothing can be done in an election year, except cheat. Supreme Court justices can’t be approved. Presidents can’t be impeached. Let the people decide, except for the people we have kicked off the rolls and made ineligible. Please hurry, Canada and approve my permanent residency. I can’t take it any more. Good bye and good luck, America I was so proud of.

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