Impeachment trial opens with debate of McConnell's cover-up plan: Live coverage #6

The impeachment trial of Donald Trump starts Tuesday with debate on trial procedures—namely, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's carefully planned cover-up. The debate will be conducted by the House impeachment managers and Trump’s defense team. On Tuesday McConnell released a slightly relaxed version of the dark-of-night procedure he initially proposed, but make no mistake that he and Trump’s team continue to press for a cover-up.

Republicans have voted down one Democratic amendment calling for new evidence. The House impeachment managers have been eating the Trump defense team’s lunch on both substance and style, but Republican senators do. not. care.

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 12:28:37 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Of all the baffling statements from Trump’s attorneys during these opening statements, the idea that Barack Obama withholding military assistance from Egypt shows that there was no problem with Trump’s actions is maybe the most out there.

That suspension wasn’t made in secret. It was public. And it was made with the knowledge and urging of members of the House and Senate. Between the time the aid was allocated and the time it was to be sent, Egypt underwent a military takeover. Aid was suspended until 2015 when Obama worked with Egyptian President al-Sisi to restore assistance.

That anyone in the Senate would think these were equivalent is just … strange. This reads like something that Sekulow picked up from a Hannity broadcast and didn’t spent two minutes checking before taking it before the U.S. Senate.

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 12:30:01 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

As expected, McConnell has moved to table the request for documents from the OMB and Republicans are now undergoing the ritual display bowing to Trump. Someone wake up Risch.

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 12:32:11 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

And again, not a single Republican wants to see any evidence.

Schumer responds by directly subpoenaing Mick Mulvaney.

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 12:35:18 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

And dinner break, everyone. Thanks for sticking in there. Back in 30.

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