usatoday--2020-01-31--OnPolitics: Put your politics aside, we have dogs

I 'm not going to lie to you .
The impeachment trial is still going and we could get several more days of televised history if Senators decide more witnesses are needed .
So it 's important that we stick together during this time and click on every link in this finely crafted newsletter .
When you 're not allowed to ask a question Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky. , submitted a question during the Thursday session of the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump that Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts refused to read .
The question revived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whistleblower “ conspired ” with a House committee staff member to reveal information that would lead to the president ’ s impeachment .
Paul did not offer evidence for the claim .
Paul walked out of the chamber and trended on twitter for his efforts .
Are we ready for a female president ?
Though a majority of Americans say the USA is ready to elect a female president , that number has dropped over the past six months , a national USA TODAY/Ipsos Poll shows – a sobering finding for Democratic presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nominating season officially kicks off Monday in Iowa .
Seventy-one percent say they personally would be comfortable with a female president , but just 33 % say their neighbors would be – a telling and perhaps more candid measure , and one that had dipped by 4 points since the poll in August .
No , we seriously have dog pics We ca n't tell you where they land on the sanctions or trade wars or even if they think the impeachment trial needs new witnesses .
But , people of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these dogs are best boys and girls you 'll see today .
Without further delay , and because I 've managed to write enough words to justify this subhead , I present you : The dogs of the 2020 presidential election Now that we used dogs to get your attention , here are some items from the Iowa Caucus .
• Trump officials and backers to flood Iowa on Caucus Day • Six candidates,10 hours on the Iowa campaign trail

OnPolitics: Put your politics aside, we have dogs
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump rails against impeachment at Michigan plant President Donald Trump couldn't hide his anger over the impeachment trial Thursday as he addressed workers at an auto parts plant in Michigan to celebrate the new trade agreement with Canada and Mexico. (Jan. 30) AP
I'm not going to lie to you. The impeachment trial is still going and we could get several more days of televised history if Senators decide more witnesses are needed.
So it's important that we stick together during this time and click on every link in this finely crafted newsletter.
When you're not allowed to ask a question
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., submitted a question during the Thursday session of the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump that Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts refused to read.
Why?
The question revived allegations from some Trump allies that the whistleblower “conspired” with a House committee staff member to reveal information that would lead to the president’s impeachment. Paul did not offer evidence for the claim.
Paul walked out of the chamber and trended on twitter for his efforts.
Are we ready for a female president?
Though a majority of Americans say the USA is ready to elect a female president, that number has dropped over the past six months, a national USA TODAY/Ipsos Poll shows – a sobering finding for Democratic presidential hopefuls Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar as the nominating season officially kicks off Monday in Iowa.
Seventy-one percent say they personally would be comfortable with a female president, but just 33% say their neighbors would be – a telling and perhaps more candid measure, and one that had dipped by 4 points since the poll in August.
No, we seriously have dog pics
We can't tell you where they land on the sanctions or trade wars or even if they think the impeachment trial needs new witnesses.
But, people of the OnPolitics newsletter, we can tell you these dogs are best boys and girls you'll see today.
Without further delay, and because I've managed to write enough words to justify this subhead, I present you: The dogs of the 2020 presidential election
Now that we used dogs to get your attention, here are some items from the Iowa Caucus.


usatoday--2020-01-31--#ArrestRandPaul trends on Twitter after he walks out over impeachment question

The hashtag # ArrestRandPaul started trending Thursday after the Kentucky Republican walked out of the Senate because Chief Justice John Roberts would n't read his impeachment question .
Sen. Paul 's question during the impeachment trial proceedings of President Donald Trump had to do with `` whether or not individuals who were holdovers from the Obama National Security Council and Democrat partisans conspired with Schiff staffers to plot impeaching the President before there were formal House impeachment proceedings , '' he said in a tweet Thursday .
When Roberts blocked his question , Paul walked out of the Senate and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ podium before tweeting it out .
Paul has named the alleged whistleblower before and has repeatedly urged that the tipster be outed publicly .
The whistleblower 's identity has not been revealed or verified publicly , which is why The Courier Journal and USA TODAY are not publishing the person 's alleged name .
After he tweeted the alleged tipster 's name Thursday , the hashtag # ArrestRandPaul started trending nationally alongside other related tags .
`` Anybody who doesn ’ t speak out against Rand Paul outing the # Whistleblower in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done it themselves .
Sometimes it ’ s what you fail to say that speaks louder than anything you ’ ve ever shouted from the rooftops .
# ArrestRandPaul , '' one Twitter user wrote .
More : Rand Paul walks out of Senate after question is rejected in impeachment trial Related : Rand Paul named suspected whistleblower in Trump impeachment inquiry .
Is he in trouble ?
Earlier : Reports : Rand Paul blocked from asking impeachment question that names alleged whistleblower Another retweeted Paul 's tweet explaining his question and wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identity of the whistleblower but is saying the name of a man he assumes to be , putting that man 's life at risk with no concrete evidence !
# ArrestRandPaul if ANYTHING happens to that man ! ''
A third tweeted , `` When you have a criminal POTUS who you believe is above the law , you 're obviously more inclined to think *you're* above the law .
The actions of Rand Paul prove this .
The GOP no longer has a moral compass as to what is right and wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Along with # ArrestRandPaul , # dershowitzlogicm # wewantwitnessess and # TrumpsDNA were trending nationally .
Reach breaking news reporter Sarah Ladd at sladd @ courier-journal.com .
Follow her on Twitter at @ ladd_sarah .
Support strong local journalism by subscribing today : courier-journal.com/subscribe .

#ArrestRandPaul trends on Twitter after he walks out over impeachment question
Show Caption Hide Caption Presidential impeachment: Clinton, Johnson, Nixon test U.S. democracy Presidents have been impeached, but none have been removed from office due to impeachment. Confusing? Here's how. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The hashtag #ArrestRandPaul started trending Thursday after the Kentucky Republican walked out of the Senate because Chief Justice John Roberts wouldn't read his impeachment question.
Sen. Paul's question during the impeachment trial proceedings of President Donald Trump had to do with "whether or not individuals who were holdovers from the Obama National Security Council and Democrat partisans conspired with Schiff staffers to plot impeaching the President before there were formal House impeachment proceedings," he said in a tweet Thursday.
When Roberts blocked his question, Paul walked out of the Senate and read it aloud to reporters behind a podium before tweeting it out. Paul has named the alleged whistleblower before and has repeatedly urged that the tipster be outed publicly.
The whistleblower's identity has not been revealed or verified publicly, which is why The Courier Journal and USA TODAY are not publishing the person's alleged name.
After he tweeted the alleged tipster's name Thursday, the hashtag #ArrestRandPaul started trending nationally alongside other related tags.
"Anybody who doesn’t speak out against Rand Paul outing the #Whistleblower in an interview today, may as well have done it themselves. Sometimes it’s what you fail to say that speaks louder than anything you’ve ever shouted from the rooftops. #ArrestRandPaul," one Twitter user wrote.
More: Rand Paul walks out of Senate after question is rejected in impeachment trial
Related: Rand Paul named suspected whistleblower in Trump impeachment inquiry. Is he in trouble?
Earlier: Reports: Rand Paul blocked from asking impeachment question that names alleged whistleblower
Anybody who doesn’t speak out against Rand Paul outing the #Whistleblower in an interview today, may as well have done it themselves.
Sometimes it’s what you fail to say that speaks louder than anything you’ve ever shouted from the rooftops. #ArrestRandPaul — Manda Posthumously 🦾 (@ShutUpAmanda) January 30, 2020
Another retweeted Paul's tweet explaining his question and wrote, "he does not know the identity of the whistleblower but is saying the name of a man he assumes to be, putting that man's life at risk with no concrete evidence! #ArrestRandPaul if ANYTHING happens to that man!"
A third tweeted, "When you have a criminal POTUS who you believe is above the law, you're obviously more inclined to think *you're* above the law. The actions of Rand Paul prove this. The GOP no longer has a moral compass as to what is right and wrong. #ArrestRandPaul and hold him accountable."
Along with #ArrestRandPaul, #dershowitzlogicm #wewantwitnessess and #TrumpsDNA were trending nationally.
Why isn’t the law being obeyed by politicians & which Americans are in favor of letting politicians break the law & then parade around smiling in front of cameras?
If you broke the law, a warrant would go out & don’t think for 1 second it wouldn’t cost you #ArrestRandPaul — Ron Shaw (@s99_ron) January 30, 2020
Regardless of your damage control @RandPaul What you did was BEYOND evil!!! Subjecting an American to life threatening Danger! You need to be removed from office! Call 202-244-2341 Request to #ArrestRandPaul pic.twitter.com/UVDA3CVQxF — markiemike (@Kenmike92) January 30, 2020
#ArrestRandPaul #ImpeachmentTrial Rand Paul named the whistleblower at a press conference — Hawkfanmarsh (@Hawkfanmarsh) January 30, 2020
Arrest Rand Paul for breaking the law and threatening the safety of a whistleblower! #ArrestRandPaul https://t.co/p30y0Qghvk — faewings (@faewings) January 30, 2020
When you have a criminal POTUS who you believe is above the law, you're obviously more inclined to think *you're* above the law.
The actions of Rand Paul prove this.
The GOP no longer has a moral compass as to what is right and wrong.#ArrestRandPaul and hold him accountable. pic.twitter.com/7J5uwouHME — Dirk McQuickly H.B. (@MrDirkMcQuickly) January 30, 2020
Reach breaking news reporter Sarah Ladd at sladd@courier-journal.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ladd_sarah. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/subscribe.


usatoday--2020-01-31--Justice Roberts refuses to read question from Sen. Rand Paul – updates

The Senate impeachment session for Thursday ended .
The trial is expected to begin again on Friday at 1 pm .
Below is a recap of how things played out .
Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah , presented one of the final questions of the evening , asking if there was “ any evidence that anyone was directed by President Trump to tell the Ukrainians that security assistance was being held on condition of investigation into the Bidens ? ''
House Manager Adam Schiff said there were two pieces of direct evidence of the conditioning of aid : U.S .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s testimony , and the statements from acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney .
“ The president made the direct link to Ambassador Sondland , ” and Sondland talked with the Ukrainians about the linkage , Schiff explained .
Schiff also mentioned Mulvaney ’ s press conference in which the Trump administration aide had told reporters aid had been contingent on the opening of investigations , though Mulvaney later walked the remarks back .
`` In the House record before us , there was no evidence that the president told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid was linked.
” He cited Sondland ’ s testimony and Sen. Ron Johnson ’ s statements that Trump had told them there was “ no quid pro quo ” and no connection between investigations and aid .
Former Republican senator calls for witnesses in Senate trial Late Thursday evening , former Sen. John Warner , a Republican who represented Virginia from 1979 until 2009 , issued a statement calling for witnesses in the Senate trial of President Donald Trump .
`` As a lifelong Republican and a retired member of the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ juror in a Presidential impeachment trial , I am mindful of the difficult responsibilities those currently serving now shoulder , '' Warner said .
Warner said the Senate could not risk Americans believing the trial was a `` sham '' because of a lack of additional evidence , so he would urge the Senate to follow `` judicial norms '' and welcome `` relevant witnesses and documents as part of this impeachment trial . ''
During President Bill Clinton 's trial , Warner voted against charges of perjury but for obstruction of justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is a potential swing vote , asked White House lawyers Thursday night why the Senate should not call former national security adviser John Bolton since the reported comments in his upcoming book contradict the president 's legal team .
“ This dispute about material facts weighs in favor of calling additional witnesses with direct knowledge , ” the question asked , also pointing out the contradictions between Ambassador Gordan Sondland , Sen. Johnson , and Bolton on whether there was a quid pro quo .
“ Why should this body not call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate should n't finish the House 's job in terms of witnesses while adding Bolton has n't verified reports about his manuscript .
“ Ambassador Bolton has not come out to verify that to my knowledge , but then we should have this chamber called new witnesses and establish the new normal for impeachment proceedings as being that there does n't have to be a complete investigation in the House , I think that is very damaging for the future of this institution , ” Philbin said .
Sen. Ron Johnson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was mentioned when Chief Justice John Roberts read out the question .
Sen. Lamar Alexander , R-Tenn. , an undecided vote on witnesses , looked up from the book he was reading and stared over at Murkowski .
Bolton allegedly wrote in the book that Trump demanded Ukraine investigate a political rival in exchange for foreign aid , an accusation that is central to the impeachment case against the president .
Democrats see hope in having Chief Justice Roberts break a tie Senate Democrats see hope in having Chief Justice John Roberts break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tomorrow .
`` I would like him to step up for the traditional system and help us bring witnesses , '' Brown said .
Sen. Chris Coons , D-Del.
, told reporters Roberts has `` got the precedent if he wants to use it . ''
`` In Andrew Johnson 's impeachment trial , the Chief Justice broke two ties in terms of the questions of the visibility around witnesses and evidence , so he 's got the precedent if he wants to use it , '' Coons explained .
One Senate Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submitted a question during the trial pointed at Roberts and his role in the process .
“ At a time where large majorities of Americans have lost faith in government , does the fact that the Chief Justice is presiding over an impeachment trial in which Republican senators have thus refused witnesses or evidence contribute to the loss of legitimacy of the Chief Justice , Supreme Court of the United States and Constitution ?
” Warren 's question read .
Sen. Josh Hawley , R-Mo.
, a former clerk for Roberts , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he broke the tie.
” Hawley explained the prior precedent for then-Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase ’ s tie-breaking votes during Johnson ’ s impeachment trial was “ fiercely controversial , ” with multiple motions introduced in the Senate to try to overturn them , though they all failed .
“ I think he would probably take an out because it gets political at that point , ” said Sen. Mike Braun , R-Ind .
Ex-Giuliani associate gives more material to impeachment investigators Brace yourself for the possibility that House impeachment investigators might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Ukraine-born businessman who helped President Donald Trump 's lawyer , Rudy Giuliani , seek damaging information about former Vice President Joe Biden .
Parnas ' attorney , Joseph Bondy , told a federal judge in New York on Thursday his office has downloaded material from his client 's Apple iCloud account and turned it over to the House Intelligence Committee .
`` We 're doing everything possible to cooperate '' with a subpoena issued last year , Bondy said .
More material will be handed over as it is downloaded , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of it public even if impeachment investigators do not .
During a Wednesday news conference with Parnas outside the U.S. Capitol , Bondy told reporters some of Parnas ' material could implicate Trump .
Bondy discussed the evidence after a hearing in a campaign finance case in which Parnas , business associate Igor Fruman , and two co-defendants are charged with funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars in foreign money to U.S. election candidates and committees .
The case includes a $ 325,000 contribution that Parnas and Fruman allegedly made under false @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Unlike Fruman , Parnas has broken ranks with Giuliani and Trump — who maintains he does not know Parnas , despite a video showing Parnas with his arm on the president 's shoulder during a gathering at Trump 's Mar-a-Lago mansion in Florida .
Another hearing in the case is set for Monday .
Attorneys for all but one defendant said their clients would prefer to waive their right to attend .
But not Parnas .
`` We could n't keep him away , your honor , '' Bondy said .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry out U.S. diplomacy The first bipartisan question of the trial came from Sens .
Lisa Murkowski , R-Alaska , Susan Collins , R-Me.
, Kyrsten Sinema , D-Ariz. , and Joe Manchin , D-W.V.
, to Trump ’ s lawyers , asking them to “ assure the American public ” private citizens would not carry out American diplomacy .
`` I want to make clear that there was no conduct of foreign policy being carried out here by a private person , ” said Deputy Counsel Patrick Philbin , noting the question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney Rudy Giuliani .
Witnesses in the impeachment inquiry described Giuliani as part of a “ parallel track ” of American diplomacy to pressure Ukraine to open politically motivated investigations , and Giuliani has said his actions in Ukraine were part of legal work to defend his client , Trump .
“ The president ’ s policy is always to abide by the laws and continue to do so , ” Philbin said , responding to a part of the question that noted unauthorized diplomacy by U.S. citizens was prohibited under the Logan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous presidents who had asked private citizens to act as messengers to foreign countries , as President George Washington had asked Gouverneur Morris to do with France .
“ That is a remarkable admission , ” House Manager Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , said later in the trial .
“ They have now acknowledged that the person in charge of this was not conducting policy .
So the investigations that Giuliani was charged with trying to get Ukraine to announce were not policy , ” Schiff said .
Instead , they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argued .
Hours before the Senate will decide whether it will consider additional witnesses and documents as part of the president 's impeachment trial , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell huddled with Sen. Lisa Murkowski , a key vote , for several minutes on the Senate floor during a break .
While the two were talking , Sen. Susan Collins , another key Republican vote , was approached by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin , one of the Democrats who is thought to be considering Trump 's acquittal .
The two locked arms and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chamber , where the pair talked for several minutes then left together .
Manchin also greeted Sen. John Thune , the Republican whip attempting to unify the GOP in voting against witnesses , with a handshake that turned into a hug .
Trump ’ s lawyer claims Trump did n't ask Ukrainian president to investigate the Bidens Several Republican senators asked both President Donald Trump ’ s lawyers and Democratic impeachment managers under what circumstances a “ president could request a foreign country to investigate a US citizen including a political rival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Counsel Patrick Philbin answered the question by going back to the record of Trump ’ s July 25 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky .
Trump had asked Zelensky to “ do us a favor ” and look into allegations against former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden .
Philbin , however , asserted that Trump had not called “ for an investigation necessarily into Vice President Biden or his son , but the situation in which the prosecutor had been fired , ” referring to the ouster of Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s conduct on the call was justified because of his concerns about the Bidens and corruption .
Philbin continued , arguing that potential malfeasance by an American overseas would be “ perfectly legitimate '' to ask about , even if it ’ s “ not something that would mean a criminal investigation here in the United States.
” Sens .
Susan Collins , R-Me.
, Roy Blunt , R-Mo.
, Marco Rubio , R-Fla. , and Mike Crapo , R-Idaho , had posed the question .
Collins is a key undecided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s conviction or acquittal .
Democrats disagreed .
House Manager Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , said “ it would be hard for me to contemplate circumstances where that would be appropriate.
” Citing reforms made after the Watergate scandal , Schiff said such an ask would be “ contrary to the history of our legal traditions.
” Arguing in support of the obstruction of Congress charge , House Manager Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , cited arguments made by Department of Justice lawyers today about the remedy for failure to comply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department had argued Congress had the power to impeach the president if subpoenas were ignored – an incongruity , he said , that was in the category of “ you can ’ t make this stuff up , ” “ What more evidence do you need of the bad faith of this effort to cover up ?
” , Schiff asked senators .
Trump ’ s defense team has argued throughout the trial that the president can not be impeached over failure to comply with subpoenas because of executive privilege .
The Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sounds of exasperation as Schiff spoke , and many Democrats looked at each other and shook their heads in disbelief .
Senator Jeff Merkley , D-OR.
, threw his hands up in the air .
As Schiff kept speaking , and eventually answered the original question from Sen. Mazie Hirono , D-Hawaii , about the withholding of aid to Ukraine , many Republican chambers left the chamber and walked into their cloakroom off the Senate floor .
By the end of Schiff ’ s remarks , USA TODAY counted 13 empty seats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Jeffries : US 'is not a banana republic' Rep. Hakeem Jeffries , one of the House managers in the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump , declared that the United States “ is not a banana republic ” in blasting the president ’ s willingness to accept information from foreigners in his political campaign .
“ It ’ s wrong in the United States of America , ” said Jeffries , D-N.Y. “ This is not a banana republic.
” The articles of impeachment accuse Trump of pressuring Ukraine to investigate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden , while withholding $ 391 million in military aid .
Jeffries was responding to a question from Sens .
Sherrod Brown , D-Ohio , and Ron Wyden , D-Ore. , about the implications of foreign countries interfering in U.S. elections .
The House managers had just played a video of Trump telling ABC News in the Oval Office that he would listen to what a foreign country offered .
Another video featured Trump outside the White House telling reporters that China should investigate Biden .
“ There ’ s nothing wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News .
“ If somebody called from a country – Norway – we have information on your opponent .
I ’ d think I ’ d want to hear it .
It ’ s not an interference .
They have information .
I think I ’ d take it.
” But Jeffries said Trump and his defense team were wrong , that foreign interference is illegal and disqualifying .
He quoted FBI Director Christopher Wray saying the FBI “ would want to know about foreign election interference.
” Jeffries also quoted Ellen Weintraub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee , who issued a statement on June 13 , 2019 , about foreign influence .
“ It is illegal for any person to solicit , accept or receive anything of value from a foreign national in connection with a U.S. election , ” Weintraub said .
“ This is not a novel concept .
Electoral interference from foreign governments has been considered unacceptable since the beginnings of our nation.
” In a fiery summation , Jeffries said foreign influence is at the heart of the case about why the Senate should remove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong .
It is corrupt .
It is lawless .
It ’ s an abuse of power .
It ’ s impeachable , ” Jeffries said .
“ And it should lead to the removal of President Donald John Trump.
” WASHINGTON – Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky. , submitted a question during the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump that Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts refused to read .
“ The presiding officer declines to read the question as submitted , ” said Roberts , who did not offer further explanation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Roberts declined the question .
He told reporters his question didn ’ t name the alleged whistleblower - although his question , which he wrote in a tweet , mentioned the name of an official some Republicans have speculated is the whistleblower .
The question revived allegations from some Trump allies that the whistleblower “ conspired ” with a House committee staff member to reveal information that would lead to the president ’ s impeachment .
Paul did not offer evidence for the claim .
“ It was an incorrect finding to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , but declined to say why he did not force a vote to overrule Roberts .
Before the question , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , opened the question session by assuring Roberts that the Senate would respect his `` unique position in reading in reading our questions . ''
“ I want to be able to continue to assure him that that level of consideration for him will continue , '' he said .
Pelosi : Trump 'will not be acquitted' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senators do n't call witnesses in his impeachment trial .
“ He will not be acquitted , ” Pelosi told reporters .
“ You can not be acquitted if you don ’ t have a trial .
And you don ’ t have a trial if you don ’ t have witnesses and documentation.
” The speaker was responding to repeated questions from reporters about Democrats ’ next move if the Senate clears Trump .
“ We ’ re still prayerful , hopeful , ” she insisted , “ that the Senate will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Does she think Trump will be chastened and understand that Congress is watching him , she was asked , or will he be emboldened ?
“ Does the president know right from wrong ?
I don ’ t think so , ” she said .
“ That ’ s all I can say.
” Attempt to block book : Donald Trump security officials threaten to block publication of John Bolton 's book Channeling Paul Revere , Pelosi warned that democracy and the nation ’ s system of government are at stake .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russians are coming , ” she said .
“ And the president has led a clear path for them to interfere , once again , in our election as they are currently doing.
” Pelosi , who has said before that all roads lead to Russia , added : “ I don ’ t know what the Russians have on the president , politically , personally or financially , but he doesn ’ t see Russia as an adversary.
” Trump defense attorney Alan Dershowitz pushed back Thursday against criticism of his argument @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trial that said it was not impeachable for elected officials to act for their own political benefit if they believe their election is in the public interest .
He said that engaging in a quid pro quo that broke the law , or was for personal financial gain , would be impeachable , however .
Critics , such as 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton , said Dershowitz ’ s argument placed the president above the law and paved the way for unrestrained abuses of power .
And many compared it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declaration that no presidential act can be considered illegal .
Dershowitz said his argument was being “ willfully misconstrued ” and elaborated on his answer in a series of tweets .
He said he was responding to the House impeachment managers ’ “ claim that any electoral benefit would constitute an impeachable quid pro quo.
” He said his point was that a president could act out of “ mixed motives ” that were both in the national interest and his or her own political interest .
Alan Dershowitz : Trump lawyer Dershowitz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an act he thinks will help his reelection Another 8 hours of questions on tap Thursday The Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump resumes Thursday with up to another eight hours of questions to House Democrats prosecuting the case and the president ’ s defense team .
The second and final question session begins at 1 p.m. With opening arguments out of the way for each side , the question phase sets up pivotal votes Friday about whether the Senate will call witnesses such as former national security adviser John Bolton .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolton because the New York Times reported that his pending book says Trump demanded Ukraine investigate his political rival , former Vice President Joe Biden , in exchange for military aid .
Trump has denied saying it and his defense team attacked Bolton as a disgruntled former worker .
'Is that true ? '
: Here are questions senators asked during Trump 's impeachment trial Bolton 's accusation could serve as confirmation of the central House impeachment allegation .
But the National Security Council contends the book contains classified information , which could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The House managers led by Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , contend that the trial won ’ t be fair unless the Senate calls witnesses such as Bolton and acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney .
But Trump ’ s defense team called the House case “ half-baked ” and said if witnesses were necessary , the House should have called them .
Trump ’ s team also said the testimony could potentially be blocked by executive privilege , in order to protect confidential advice from top aides .
Several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senators should weigh in deciding whether to convict Trump and remove him from office .
The president ’ s removal is unlikely because it would require a two-thirds majority in a chamber with 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats .
What are senators thinking ?
: Senators ' questions at Trump impeachment trial show most minds are made up Trump ’ s team has argued that the impeachment is unconstitutional because it isn ’ t based on violations of criminal statute , but on vague accusations of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House managers should have to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt , as with a criminal case .
House managers contend that the article on abuse of power has been used in past impeachment inquiries against former Presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton .
In this case , Schiff said the charge is akin to bribery or extortion because Trump demanded an investigation in exchange for $ 391 million in military aid .
The House managers said senators should use their own judgment in deciding whether to remove Trump .

Bart Jansen and Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY

Justice Roberts refuses to read question from Sen. Rand Paul – updates
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump impeachment trial: debate to allow witnesses The Senate impeachment trial against President Donald Trump reached a crossroads that could either extend the trial for days or see a vote soon. USA TODAY
The Senate impeachment session for Thursday ended. The trial is expected to begin again on Friday at 1 pm.
Below is a recap of how things played out.
Direct evidence?
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, presented one of the final questions of the evening, asking if there was “any evidence that anyone was directed by President Trump to tell the Ukrainians that security assistance was being held on condition of investigation into the Bidens?"
House Manager Adam Schiff said there were two pieces of direct evidence of the conditioning of aid: U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland’s testimony, and the statements from acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney.
“The president made the direct link to Ambassador Sondland,” and Sondland talked with the Ukrainians about the linkage, Schiff explained.
Schiff also mentioned Mulvaney’s press conference in which the Trump administration aide had told reporters aid had been contingent on the opening of investigations, though Mulvaney later walked the remarks back.
Michael Purpura, counsel to the President, disagreed.
"In the House record before us, there was no evidence that the president told anyone to tell the Ukrainians that the aid was linked.”
He cited Sondland’s testimony and Sen. Ron Johnson’s statements that Trump had told them there was “no quid pro quo” and no connection between investigations and aid.
Former Republican senator calls for witnesses in Senate trial
Late Thursday evening, former Sen. John Warner, a Republican who represented Virginia from 1979 until 2009, issued a statement calling for witnesses in the Senate trial of President Donald Trump.
"As a lifelong Republican and a retired member of the U.S. Senate, who once served as a juror in a Presidential impeachment trial, I am mindful of the difficult responsibilities those currently serving now shoulder," Warner said.
Warner said the Senate could not risk Americans believing the trial was a "sham" because of a lack of additional evidence, so he would urge the Senate to follow "judicial norms" and welcome "relevant witnesses and documents as part of this impeachment trial."
During President Bill Clinton's trial, Warner voted against charges of perjury but for obstruction of justice.
- Nicholas Wu
Murkowski asks why Senators shouldn’t call John Bolton as a witnesses
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska., who is a potential swing vote, asked White House lawyers Thursday night why the Senate should not call former national security adviser John Bolton since the reported comments in his upcoming book contradict the president's legal team.
“This dispute about material facts weighs in favor of calling additional witnesses with direct knowledge,” the question asked, also pointing out the contradictions between Ambassador Gordan Sondland, Sen. Johnson, and Bolton on whether there was a quid pro quo. “Why should this body not call Ambassador Bolton?"
Philbin answered that the Senate shouldn't finish the House's job in terms of witnesses while adding Bolton hasn't verified reports about his manuscript.
“Ambassador Bolton has not come out to verify that to my knowledge, but then we should have this chamber called new witnesses and establish the new normal for impeachment proceedings as being that there doesn't have to be a complete investigation in the House, I think that is very damaging for the future of this institution,” Philbin said.
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisc., grimaced slightly as his name was mentioned when Chief Justice John Roberts read out the question.
Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., an undecided vote on witnesses, looked up from the book he was reading and stared over at Murkowski.
Bolton allegedly wrote in the book that Trump demanded Ukraine investigate a political rival in exchange for foreign aid, an accusation that is central to the impeachment case against the president.
- Savannah Behrmann, Nicholas Wu
Democrats see hope in having Chief Justice Roberts break a tie
Senate Democrats see hope in having Chief Justice John Roberts break a potential 50-50 tie vote on witnesses tomorrow.
Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, told USA TODAY Roberts “should” help break ties on witnesses.
"I would like him to step up for the traditional system and help us bring witnesses," Brown said.
Roberts should “absolutely” break a tie,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., told USA TODAY.
Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., told reporters Roberts has "got the precedent if he wants to use it."
"In Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial, the Chief Justice broke two ties in terms of the questions of the visibility around witnesses and evidence, so he's got the precedent if he wants to use it," Coons explained.
One Senate Democrat, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., submitted a question during the trial pointed at Roberts and his role in the process.
“At a time where large majorities of Americans have lost faith in government, does the fact that the Chief Justice is presiding over an impeachment trial in which Republican senators have thus refused witnesses or evidence contribute to the loss of legitimacy of the Chief Justice, Supreme Court of the United States and Constitution?” Warren's question read.
Republicans disagreed.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., a former clerk for Roberts, told reporters he would be “surprised if he broke the tie.”
Hawley explained the prior precedent for then-Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase’s tie-breaking votes during Johnson’s impeachment trial was “fiercely controversial,” with multiple motions introduced in the Senate to try to overturn them, though they all failed.
“I think he would probably take an out because it gets political at that point,” said Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind.
-Nicholas Wu and Savannah Behrman
Ex-Giuliani associate gives more material to impeachment investigators
Brace yourself for the possibility that House impeachment investigators might disclose more information from Lev Parnas, the Ukraine-born businessman who helped President Donald Trump's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, seek damaging information about former Vice President Joe Biden.
Parnas' attorney, Joseph Bondy, told a federal judge in New York on Thursday his office has downloaded material from his client's Apple iCloud account and turned it over to the House Intelligence Committee.
"We're doing everything possible to cooperate" with a subpoena issued last year, Bondy said. More material will be handed over as it is downloaded, he said, adding that he might make some of it public even if impeachment investigators do not.
During a Wednesday news conference with Parnas outside the U.S. Capitol, Bondy told reporters some of Parnas' material could implicate Trump.
Bondy discussed the evidence after a hearing in a campaign finance case in which Parnas, business associate Igor Fruman, and two co-defendants are charged with funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars in foreign money to U.S. election candidates and committees.
The case includes a $325,000 contribution that Parnas and Fruman allegedly made under false pretenses to a super PAC supporting Trump.
Unlike Fruman, Parnas has broken ranks with Giuliani and Trump — who maintains he does not know Parnas, despite a video showing Parnas with his arm on the president's shoulder during a gathering at Trump's Mar-a-Lago mansion in Florida.
Another hearing in the case is set for Monday. Attorneys for all but one defendant said their clients would prefer to waive their right to attend.
But not Parnas. "We couldn't keep him away, your honor," Bondy said.
- Kevin McCoy
Trump’s lawyers say Giuliani did not carry out U.S. diplomacy
The first bipartisan question of the trial came from Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Susan Collins, R-Me., Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., and Joe Manchin, D-W.V., to Trump’s lawyers, asking them to “assure the American public” private citizens would not carry out American diplomacy.
"I want to make clear that there was no conduct of foreign policy being carried out here by a private person,” said Deputy Counsel Patrick Philbin, noting the question likely referred to Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani.
Witnesses in the impeachment inquiry described Giuliani as part of a “parallel track” of American diplomacy to pressure Ukraine to open politically motivated investigations, and Giuliani has said his actions in Ukraine were part of legal work to defend his client, Trump.
“The president’s policy is always to abide by the laws and continue to do so,” Philbin said, responding to a part of the question that noted unauthorized diplomacy by U.S. citizens was prohibited under the Logan Act.
Philbin also referenced precedent from previous presidents who had asked private citizens to act as messengers to foreign countries, as President George Washington had asked Gouverneur Morris to do with France.
“That is a remarkable admission,” House Manager Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said later in the trial.
“They have now acknowledged that the person in charge of this was not conducting policy. So the investigations that Giuliani was charged with trying to get Ukraine to announce were not policy,” Schiff said.
Instead, they were “domestic political errands,” Schiff argued.
- Nicholas Wu
McConnell huddles with key vote hours before witness vote
Hours before the Senate will decide whether it will consider additional witnesses and documents as part of the president's impeachment trial, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell huddled with Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a key vote, for several minutes on the Senate floor during a break.
While the two were talking, Sen. Susan Collins, another key Republican vote, was approached by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, one of the Democrats who is thought to be considering Trump's acquittal. The two locked arms and Manchin escorted Collins to the back of the chamber, where the pair talked for several minutes then left together.
Manchin also greeted Sen. John Thune, the Republican whip attempting to unify the GOP in voting against witnesses, with a handshake that turned into a hug.
- Christal Hayes
Trump’s lawyer claims Trump didn't ask Ukrainian president to investigate the Bidens
Several Republican senators asked both President Donald Trump’s lawyers and Democratic impeachment managers under what circumstances a “president could request a foreign country to investigate a US citizen including a political rival who is not under investigation.”
Deputy Counsel Patrick Philbin answered the question by going back to the record of Trump’s July 25 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump had asked Zelensky to “do us a favor” and look into allegations against former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden.
Philbin, however, asserted that Trump had not called “for an investigation necessarily into Vice President Biden or his son, but the situation in which the prosecutor had been fired,” referring to the ouster of Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin.
Republicans have argued Trump’s conduct on the call was justified because of his concerns about the Bidens and corruption.
Philbin continued, arguing that potential malfeasance by an American overseas would be “perfectly legitimate" to ask about, even if it’s “not something that would mean a criminal investigation here in the United States.”
Sens. Susan Collins, R-Me., Roy Blunt, R-Mo., Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, had posed the question. Collins is a key undecided vote on both allowing witnesses and Trump’s conviction or acquittal.
Democrats disagreed. House Manager Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said “it would be hard for me to contemplate circumstances where that would be appropriate.”
Citing reforms made after the Watergate scandal, Schiff said such an ask would be “contrary to the history of our legal traditions.”
- Nicholas Wu
Schiff cites the Justice Department’s argument against Trump’s lawyers
Arguing in support of the obstruction of Congress charge, House Manager Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., cited arguments made by Department of Justice lawyers today about the remedy for failure to comply with subpoenas.
Schiff said the Justice Department had argued Congress had the power to impeach the president if subpoenas were ignored – an incongruity, he said, that was in the category of “you can’t make this stuff up,”
“What more evidence do you need of the bad faith of this effort to cover up?”, Schiff asked senators.
Trump’s defense team has argued throughout the trial that the president cannot be impeached over failure to comply with subpoenas because of executive privilege.
The Democratic side of the chamber erupted in laughter and sounds of exasperation as Schiff spoke, and many Democrats looked at each other and shook their heads in disbelief.
Senator Jeff Merkley, D-OR., threw his hands up in the air.
As Schiff kept speaking, and eventually answered the original question from Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, about the withholding of aid to Ukraine, many Republican chambers left the chamber and walked into their cloakroom off the Senate floor.
By the end of Schiff’s remarks, USA TODAY counted 13 empty seats on the Republican side of the chamber.
- Nicholas Wu and Savannah Behrmann
Jeffries: US 'is not a banana republic'
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, one of the House managers in the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, declared that the United States “is not a banana republic” in blasting the president’s willingness to accept information from foreigners in his political campaign.
“It’s wrong in the United States of America,” said Jeffries, D-N.Y. “This is not a banana republic.”
The articles of impeachment accuse Trump of pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, while withholding $391 million in military aid. Jeffries was responding to a question from Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., about the implications of foreign countries interfering in U.S. elections.
The House managers had just played a video of Trump telling ABC News in the Oval Office that he would listen to what a foreign country offered. Another video featured Trump outside the White House telling reporters that China should investigate Biden.
“There’s nothing wrong with listening,” Trump told ABC News. “If somebody called from a country – Norway – we have information on your opponent. I’d think I’d want to hear it. It’s not an interference. They have information. I think I’d take it.”
But Jeffries said Trump and his defense team were wrong, that foreign interference is illegal and disqualifying. He quoted FBI Director Christopher Wray saying the FBI “would want to know about foreign election interference.”
Jeffries also quoted Ellen Weintraub, a member of the Federal Election Committee, who issued a statement on June 13, 2019, about foreign influence.
I would not have thought that I needed to say this. pic.twitter.com/T743CsXq79 — Ellen L Weintraub (@EllenLWeintraub) June 13, 2019
“It is illegal for any person to solicit, accept or receive anything of value from a foreign national in connection with a U.S. election,” Weintraub said. “This is not a novel concept. Electoral interference from foreign governments has been considered unacceptable since the beginnings of our nation.”
In a fiery summation, Jeffries said foreign influence is at the heart of the case about why the Senate should remove Trump from office.
“It is wrong. It is corrupt. It is lawless. It’s an abuse of power. It’s impeachable,” Jeffries said. “And it should lead to the removal of President Donald John Trump.”
- Bart Jansen
Justice Roberts refuses to read question from Sen. Rand Paul
WASHINGTON – Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., submitted a question during the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump that Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts refused to read.
“The presiding officer declines to read the question as submitted,” said Roberts, who did not offer further explanation.
Paul walked out of the chamber after Roberts declined the question. He told reporters his question didn’t name the alleged whistleblower - although his question, which he wrote in a tweet, mentioned the name of an official some Republicans have speculated is the whistleblower.
The question revived allegations from some Trump allies that the whistleblower “conspired” with a House committee staff member to reveal information that would lead to the president’s impeachment. Paul did not offer evidence for the claim.
“It was an incorrect finding to not allow a question,” Paul said, but declined to say why he did not force a vote to overrule Roberts.
Before the question, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., opened the question session by assuring Roberts that the Senate would respect his "unique position in reading in reading our questions."
“I want to be able to continue to assure him that that level of consideration for him will continue," he said.
- Bart Jansen
Pelosi: Trump 'will not be acquitted'
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that President Donald Trump can't be exonerated if senators don't call witnesses in his impeachment trial.
“He will not be acquitted,” Pelosi told reporters. “You cannot be acquitted if you don’t have a trial. And you don’t have a trial if you don’t have witnesses and documentation.”
The speaker was responding to repeated questions from reporters about Democrats’ next move if the Senate clears Trump.
“We’re still prayerful, hopeful,” she insisted, “that the Senate will have the courage to hear the truth.”
Does she think Trump will be chastened and understand that Congress is watching him, she was asked, or will he be emboldened?
Pelosi restated the question before answering.
“Does the president know right from wrong? I don’t think so,” she said. “That’s all I can say.”
Attempt to block book: Donald Trump security officials threaten to block publication of John Bolton's book
Channeling Paul Revere, Pelosi warned that democracy and the nation’s system of government are at stake.
“The Russians are coming. The Russians are coming,” she said. “And the president has led a clear path for them to interfere, once again, in our election as they are currently doing.”
Pelosi, who has said before that all roads lead to Russia, added: “I don’t know what the Russians have on the president, politically, personally or financially, but he doesn’t see Russia as an adversary.”
– Maureen Groppe
Dershowitz responds to criticism of 'mixed motives' argument
Trump defense attorney Alan Dershowitz pushed back Thursday against criticism of his argument during the first day of questions in the trial that said it was not impeachable for elected officials to act for their own political benefit if they believe their election is in the public interest.
He said that engaging in a quid pro quo that broke the law, or was for personal financial gain, would be impeachable, however.
Critics, such as 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, said Dershowitz’s argument placed the president above the law and paved the way for unrestrained abuses of power. And many compared it to former President Richard Nixon’s infamous declaration that no presidential act can be considered illegal.
Dershowitz said his argument was being “willfully misconstrued” and elaborated on his answer in a series of tweets. He said he was responding to the House impeachment managers’ “claim that any electoral benefit would constitute an impeachable quid pro quo.” He said his point was that a president could act out of “mixed motives” that were both in the national interest and his or her own political interest.
- William Cummings
Alan Dershowitz: Trump lawyer Dershowitz argues president can't be impeached for an act he thinks will help his reelection
Trump impeachment: Two-day question-and-answer session begins The Senate entered a two-day question-and-answer session in which senators submit questions for Chief Justice Roberts to read aloud. USA TODAY
Another 8 hours of questions on tap Thursday
The Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump resumes Thursday with up to another eight hours of questions to House Democrats prosecuting the case and the president’s defense team.
The second and final question session begins at 1 p.m. With opening arguments out of the way for each side, the question phase sets up pivotal votes Friday about whether the Senate will call witnesses such as former national security adviser John Bolton.
Many of the questions Wednesday focused on Bolton because the New York Times reported that his pending book says Trump demanded Ukraine investigate his political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, in exchange for military aid. Trump has denied saying it and his defense team attacked Bolton as a disgruntled former worker.
'Is that true?': Here are questions senators asked during Trump's impeachment trial
Bolton's accusation could serve as confirmation of the central House impeachment allegation. But the National Security Council contends the book contains classified information, which could hinder its publication scheduled in March.
The House managers led by Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., contend that the trial won’t be fair unless the Senate calls witnesses such as Bolton and acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney.
But Trump’s defense team called the House case “half-baked” and said if witnesses were necessary, the House should have called them. Trump’s team also said the testimony could potentially be blocked by executive privilege, in order to protect confidential advice from top aides.
Several questions focused on the burden of proof senators should weigh in deciding whether to convict Trump and remove him from office. The president’s removal is unlikely because it would require a two-thirds majority in a chamber with 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats.
What are senators thinking?: Senators' questions at Trump impeachment trial show most minds are made up
Presidential impeachment: Clinton, Johnson, Nixon test U.S. democracy Presidents have been impeached, but none have been removed from office due to impeachment. Confusing? Here's how. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Trump’s team has argued that the impeachment is unconstitutional because it isn’t based on violations of criminal statute, but on vague accusations of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The defense lawyers argued that the House managers should have to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, as with a criminal case.
House managers contend that the article on abuse of power has been used in past impeachment inquiries against former Presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton. In this case, Schiff said the charge is akin to bribery or extortion because Trump demanded an investigation in exchange for $391 million in military aid. The House managers said senators should use their own judgment in deciding whether to remove Trump.


usatoday--2020-02-03--Closing arguments to begin in the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump – live updates

The Senate impeachment trial resumes Monday at 11 a.m. EST .
Refresh this page for updates .
WASHINGTON – House impeachment managers and President Donald Trump 's legal team will make their closing arguments Monday as senators prepare to vote on whether to convict or acquit the president on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
Those two articles of impeachment were approved by the Democratic-controlled House on Dec. 18 after a two-month inquiry into allegations that Trump held up military aid to pressure Ukraine into announcing investigations for his political benefit – including one involving former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rival in the 2020 election .
Trump has insisted he did nothing wrong and was acting to combat corruption .
His defense team has said the House failed to prove its case , that the abuse of power charge is too subjective and the obstruction of Congress charge robs the president of his right to claim executive privilege in court .
Attorney Alan Dershowitz made the argument , which many legal scholars dispute , that even if the allegations were true , they were n't impeachable because they did not constitute a crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 51-49 against issuing subpoenas for additional witnesses and documents , which would have delayed the trial 's conclusion .
Each side will have two hours to argue the case a final time before senators take to the floor to deliver speeches explaining how they view the charges .
With a 53-47 seat Republican majority in the Senate and a two-thirds vote needed for conviction , it is almost certain the president will be acquitted in the final vote on Wednesday .
What we know : Senators will vote Wednesday to acquit or convict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sanders , Klobuchar and Bennet will have to juggle Trump impeachment trial and the Iowa caucuses Monday The lead House impeachment manager , Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calf.
, said Sunday Democrats `` proved the corrupt scheme that they charged in the articles of impeachment . ''
`` That 's pretty remarkable when you now have senators on both sides of the aisle admitting the House made its case and the only question is : 'Should the president be removed from office because he 's been found guilty of these offenses ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' `` Face the Nation . ''
Schiff said even if the Senate votes to acquit , `` it 's enormously important that the president was impeached '' because `` by standing up to this president as we have , by making the case to the American people , by exposing his wrongdoing , we are helping to slow the momentum away from our democratic values . ''
`` But I 'm not letting the senators off the hook .
We 're still going to go into the Senate this week and make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be removed , '' he said .
`` It will be up to the senators to make that final judgment and the senators will be held accountable for it . ''
Schiff declined to say if the House would continue to seek testimony from former national security adviser John Bolton , who says in his upcoming book that Trump told him the aid to Ukraine was tied to the investigations Trump desired , according to news media reports .
But he said one way or the other , `` the truth will come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ' : News of John Bolton 's book casts shadow over Trump impeachment trial Republicans concede Trump should have gone through DOJ GOP Sens .
Joni Ernst of Iowa and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee said Sunday that while Trump 's acts were not impeachable , he should have gone through the Department of Justice if he had concerns about Biden and his son 's former position on the board of Burisma , a Ukrainian energy company .
`` I think , generally speaking , going after corruption would be the right thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared she will vote to acquit , said on CNN 's `` State of the Union . ''
`` But I think he could have done it through different channels , '' she added , referring to Trump 's decision to have his personal attorney , Rudy Giuliani , handle it .
`` He should have probably gone to the DOJ .
He should have worked through those entities , but he chose to go a different route . ''
On NBC News ' `` Meet the Press , '' Alexander said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine and asked him to become involved in investigating Joe Biden . ''
And he said , `` at least in part , he delayed the military and other assistance to Ukraine in order to encourage that investigation . ''
`` I think he should n't have done it .
I think it was wrong , '' said Alexander , who plans to vote for acquittal .
`` If he was upset about Joe Biden and his son and what they were doing in Ukraine , he should have called the attorney general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the attorney general handle it the way they always handle cases that involve public figures , '' said Alexander , who is not seeking re-election in November 's election .
When asked why he thought Trump did not go to the DOJ , Alexander said , `` Maybe he did n't know to do it . ''
`` I would think he would think twice before he did it again , '' he added .
‘ He shouldn ’ t have done it ' : GOP senator who scolded Trump on Ukraine explains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the spotlight Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , told Fox News on Sunday that `` the day of reckoning is coming for congressional and Senate oversight of Joe Biden . ''
`` I 'm going to bring in State Department officials and ask them , why did n't you do something about the obvious conflict of interests Joe Biden had ? ''
said Graham , who previously pledged to have his committee investigate the matter but has not yet scheduled any hearings .
`` We 're going to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` And I can prove beyond any doubt that Joe Biden 's effort in the Ukraine to root out corruption was undercut , because he let his son sit on the board of the most corrupt company in the Ukraine , and we 're not going to give him a pass on that . ''
In an interview with Bloomberg News , Ernst said Democrats had lowered the bar for impeachment to the point that if Biden were to become president there would be voices calling for his removal because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I think this door of impeachable whatever has been opened , '' Ernst told Bloomberg .
`` We can have a situation where if it should ever be President Biden , that immediately , people , right the day after he would be elected would be saying , 'Well , we ’ re going to impeach him . '
'' 'Is that true ? '
: Here are questions senators asked during Trump 's impeachment trial

GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she 'cannot vote to convict' Trump – live impeachment trial updates
Show Caption Hide Caption Impeachment trial: Senate motion to call witnesses fails With the vast majority of senators voting along party lines, a motion to call witnesses failed in the U.S. Senate in Trump's impeachment trial. USA TODAY
The Senate impeachment trial has resumed. House impeachment managers and President Donald Trump's defense team have completed their closing arguments. Senators are now allowed to give short speeches. Refresh this page for updates.
WASHINGTON – Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said she “cannot vote to convict” President Donald Trump during a speech on the Senate floor Monday.
“I cannot vote to convict,” she said. “The Constitution provides for impeachment, but does not demand it in all instances.”
Instead, the senator said “we must trust the judgement” of voters when they go to the polls in nine months.
Denouncing the conduct of both parties, Murkowski said Democratic House lawmakers "failed in its proceedings" while casting Trump’s behavior as “shameful and wrong. She has not previously taken a public position on the final impeachment vote on Wednesday, when lawmakers will decide whether to acquit Trump or convict and remove him from office.
“The House rushed through what should have been one of the most serious, consequential undertakings of the legislative branch simply to meet an artificial, self-imposed deadline,” she said.
Murkowski was also critical of the Senate and the “rank partisanship” in the body during the impeachment proceedings. She slammed the “hypocrisy” of her colleagues who took opposite positions on impeachment than they did during President Bill Clinton’s impeachment.
Democrats had hoped Murkowski would be one of a handful of Republican senators to vote for allowing the trial to hear from witnesses on Friday. But her ultimate decision not to back witnesses led to a narrow vote to reject further testimony, pushing the trial into final arguments and a deciding vote Wednesday.
- Nicholas Wu
Sen. Manchin calls for Senate to censure Trump
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., called for the Senate to censure President Donald Trump, explaining Monday he was deeply torn about how he would vote on articles of impeachment later in the week.
Censuring Trump would formally express the Senate’s disapproval of his actions but would not remove him from office. The Senate votes on whether to acquit Trump or convict and remove him from office on Wednesday.
“I see no path to the 67 posts required to impeach President Trump and I haven't since this trial started,” Manchin explained in a speech on the Senate floor. "However, I do believe a bipartisan majority of this body would vote to censure President Trump for his actions.”
He said censure “would allow this body to unite across party lines” and “formally denounce” Trump’s actions with Ukraine.
Rep. Jason Crow: Democrat reads from children's Constitutions during the Trump impeachment trial
Manchin, a key Democratic vote representing a state Trump won, has refused to say how he will vote Wednesday.
"I remain undecided on how I will vote," he said. "I am truly struggling with this decision and will come to a conclusion reluctantly," he said.
A draft resolution of a censure resolution, which Manchin's office provided to USA TODAY, would "condemn" Trump's conduct "in the strongest terms." It could not be introduced until after the end of the impeachment vote on Wednesday.
The resolution acknowledges Trump's pressuring of another country to open politically motivated investigations and obstructing Congress' investigation into his conduct in Ukraine.
Manchin's resolution also looks past impeachment and Ukraine, saying the "Senate now moves on to other matters of significance."
Any effort to censure Trump would likely face an uphill battle. If Manchin attempted to introduce the resolution and have it adopted by unanimous consent, it would likely be blocked in the GOP-led Senate. If it were introduced like any other resolution, it would likely be referred to the relevant committee and simply be ignored by Republicans.
Sen. Joni Ernst: Sen. Joni Ernst says her comments on impeaching Joe Biden were 'taken out of context'
After his speech, Manchin acknowledged to Politico the effort would likely be dead on arrival but said he’d been trying to gain support from Republicans for “a while.”
“It’s a shame,” he told Politico.
Trump has already faced two failed attempts to censure him. One was due to the president’s comments after the deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, the other after Trump’s reported comments about African countries in a private meeting.
There have been more than a dozen attempts to censure other presidents in recent history, including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. All failed.
The clearest successful censure was in 1834 against President Andrew Jackson. Resolutions were adopted three other times, against James Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln and William Howard Taft, but they were amended and the original language rebuking the president was altered and obscured, according to the Congressional Research Service.
- Christal Hayes
Some GOP pour cold water on censuring Trump
Shortly before Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., said he supported a censure resolution against Trump on Monday, some Republican colleagues panned the idea.
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who said in a statement Friday that “Just because actions meet a standard of impeachment does not mean it is in the best interest of the country to remove a President from office” told reporters that even with that view, he would rather wait until the election instead of censure.
“We have an election in nine months, and that's in my mind, the appropriate way for people to take into account how they feel about what the President did. It's the ultimate accountability,” Rubio said. “Removal is not a punishment. The House managers have said removal is designed to protect the country and that’s in the best interest of the country. I think the best interest in the country will be served by the American people in November in an election.”
Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., agreed, saying there was “zero” desire for a censure resolution and that the “first time he heard about it” was from reporters.
He reiterated that so “many senators had constituents that thought it was ill-founded, because it was so partisan."
Sen. Roy Blunt, R-MO., simply said that it was “too late” for a censure vote.
- Savannah Behrmann
Parnas focused on impeachment as judge sets his trial
Lev Parnas, the man who eagerly offered to testify in the impeachment trial against the president he once admired, learned Monday he will face trial Oct. 5 on charges of breaking federal campaign finance law.
But he remained focused on the impeachment trial that entered its final days without any consideration of his bid to testify against Trump.
Asked after Monday's hearing whether he would continue to seek a plea-bargain deal with prosecutors in his criminal case, Parnas pivoted to the impeachment trial.
"We've been the past month trying as strong as possible to be able to help the Senate, Congress and the world ... know the truth on what has happened and what is happening" in a fight against a "powerful enemy," Parnas said.
"I think the truth will come out, and we will all know and see what President Trump, Attorney General (William) Barr, Rudy Giuliani and their cohorts did in the Ukraine situation."
Parnas helped Rudy Giuliani, the president's personal lawyer, seek damaging information in Ukraine about former Vice President Joe Biden, one of Trump's rivals in the 2020 presidential race.
- Kevin McCoy
Rep. Adam Schiff: Trump 'will not change'
Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff, the lead House Democrat prosecuting President Donald Trump, told senators they couldn’t wait for voters to decide whether to remove the president in November because he would undermine national security and try to cheat in the election until then.
“You can’t trust this president to do the right thing, not for one minute, not for one election, not for the sake of our country," said Schiff, D-Calif., during closing arguments in the impeachment trial.
The Senate will vote Wednesday whether to acquit Trump or convict and remove him from office.
Schiff argued Trump wouldn’t change, particularly if the Senate acquits him, and pointed out past Trump actions as his evidence: Trump had publicly invited Russia to hack his Democratic opponents' emails during the 2016 election and they did. He continued to pursue a lucrative real-estate deal in Russia during the campaign and his personal lawyer went to prison for lying about it. And the day after special counsel Robert Mueller testified about his investigation into Russian interference in that campaign, Trump spoke July 25 with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to urge the investigation of his political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden. The call was at the heart of the impeachment accusation of abuse of power.
“He has not changed. He will not change,” Schiff said. “A man without character or ethical compass will not find his way.”
Trump’s defense team had said the articles of impeachment, for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, were too vague to enforce. The defense lawyers argued that Trump’s fate should be left in the hands of voters in November.
But Schiff said the chances that Trump would continue to try and cheat in the 2020 election were 100%.
“The scheming persists and the danger will never recede,” Schiff said.
Schiff closed by arguing the men who wrote the Constitution provided impeachment as a rare but significant tool to remove a president for misconduct.
“They gave us the tools to do the job, a remedy as powerful as the evil it was meant to constrain: impeachment,” Schiff said. “They meant it to be used rarely, but they put it in the Constitution for a reason. For a man who would sell out his country for a political favor. For a man who would threaten the integrity of our elections. For a man who would invite foreign interference in our affairs. For a man who would undermine our national security and that of our allies. For a man like Donald J. Trump.”
- Bart Jansen
Crow reads from children's Constitution during impeachment trial
Taking his turn to sum up the House case against President Donald Trump in the Senate impeachment trial, Rep. Jason Crow read a passage that he inscribed on a copy of his children’s Constitution.
“Our founders recognized the failings of all people, so they designed a system to ensure that the ideas and principles contained in this document would always be greater than any one person,” said the Colorado Democrat, a former Army Ranger who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. “It’s the idea that no one is above the law. But our system only works if people stand up and fight for it. Fighting for something important always comes at a cost. Someday you may be called upon to defend the principles and ideas embodied in our Constitution. May the memory and spirit of those who sacrificed for them in the past guide you and give you strength as you fight for them in the future.”
- Bart Jansen
Impeachment manager reads childrens' constitution in closing remarks House impeachment manager Jason Crow makes an appeal to parents in the Senate by quoting Prof. Dumbledore and reading note in kids' constitution. USA TODAY
Ernst: comments on impeaching Biden 'taken out of context'
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said Monday that her comments suggesting Republicans could move to impeach former Vice President Joe Biden over Ukraine if he were elected president were “taken entirely out of context.”
Ernst said Sunday: "I think this door of impeachable whatever has been opened. Joe Biden should be very careful what he’s asking for because, you know, we can have a situation where if it should ever be President Biden, that immediately people right the day after he would be elected would be saying, ‘Well, we’re going to impeach him.'"
On Monday, Ernst walked back her comments when speaking to reporters. “The point is that the Democrats have lowered the bar so far,” she said. “Regardless of who it is, if you have a different party in the House than that of an elected president, you could have just random comments thrown out there with folks saying, ‘We’re going to impeach.'"
Sen. Joni Ernst: Iowa Republican says comments on impeaching Joe Biden were 'taken out of context'
In an interview Sunday with the Des Moines Register, part of the USA TODAY Network, Biden said Ernst's comments and Trump's decision to ask Ukraine to investigate his actions overseeing foreign policy in that country show that the president is afraid of running against him.
"They very much don’t want to face me, obviously," Biden told the Register. "I’ve never seen a sitting president and his allies this frightened about who may be the nominee."
- Savannah Behrmann and Nicholas Wu
Trump attorney: 'reject' impeachment, trust voters
White House counsel Pat Cipollone closed the defense of President Donald Trump in his impeachment trial by arguing that he did nothing wrong and the American people should decide who should hold the country’s highest office, rather than have the Senate remove him.
“It is wrong,” Cipollone said of the impeachment. “There is only one answer to that, and the answer is to reject those articles of impeachment, to have confidence in the American people, to have confidence in the result of the upcoming election, to have confidence and respect for the last election and not throw it out.”
Cipollone said the Senate could help end the “era of impeachment,” after three formal inquiries since 1974, by acquitting the president and leaving the decision about whether Trump should remain in office to the wisdom and judgment of voters in November.
“I urge you on behalf of every American, on behalf of all your constituents, to reject these articles of impeachment,” Cipollone said. “It’s the right thing for our country. The president has done nothing wrong. These types of impeachments must end.”
- Bart Jansen
Trump attorney: partisan impeachment is what founders feared
Jay Sekulow, a private lawyer who is part of President Donald Trump’s defense team, argued that House Democrats pursued a partisan impeachment that the country’s founders feared, saying “it should never happen again.”
“This is exactly and precisely what the founders feared,” Sekulow said. “This was the first totally partisan presidential impeachment in our nation’s history and it should be our last.”
Sekulow said the House essentially tried to usurp power by accusing Trump of abuse of power for his dealings in Ukraine. And Sekulow said the second article should fail because Trump’s defiance of subpoenas was for constitutional reasons such as protecting the confidentiality of advice from top aides.
“What the House Democrats have done to this nation, the Constitution, the office of the president, the president himself and to this body is outrageous,” Sekulow said. “They have cheapened the awesome power of impeachment and unfortunately, of course, the country is not better for that.”
- Bart Jansen
Trump attorney: Dems. didn't follow the law in impeaching Trump
Patrick Philbin, deputy White House counsel, attacked the House’s impeachment inquiry as initially invalid and therefore invalidatd the rest of the impeachment leading to a Senate trial of President Donald Trump.
“In many important and significant respects, they didn’t follow the law,” Philbin said during closing arguments of Trump's defense team in the impeachment trial Monday. “This was a purely partisan impeachment from the start.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., declared the impeachment inquiry on Sept. 23 without a vote in the House, as had traditionally happened. The House voted to authorize the inquiry Oct. 31 and then impeached Trump on Dec. 18.
The House has the sole authority in the Constitution to impeach officials in the executive and judicial branches, which is how Pelosi justified her announcement. But Philbin argued that Pelosi didn’t have the authority to announce the investigation and thus the 23 subpoenas issued before the full House vote were invalid.
- Bart Jansen
Ken Starr to senators: consider the lack of GOP support
Ken Starr, a member of President Donald Trump’s defense team, suggested Monday that senators should take into account that the House impeached Trump largely along party lines.
The House, he said, has the sole power to impeach a president, but House Democrats should have spent more time on their investigation to persuade Republicans to join them.
Starr, the former independent counsel whose investigation led to the impeachment of former President Bill Clinton, said the House vote to investigate President Richard Nixon was 410 to 4. The vote to investigate Clinton was supported by 31 of his fellow Democrats. But none of Trump’s fellow Republicans joined Democrats in authorizing the inquiry or impeaching him.
“They’ve got the power, but that doesn’t mean anything goes,” Starr told senators. “The question fairly to be asked: why cast my vote to convict and remove the president of the United States, when not a single member of the president’s party – the party of Lincoln – was persuaded at any time in the process.”
- Bart Jansen
White House attorney: acquit Trump, let voters decide
White House counsel Pat Cipollone said the only appropriate result in the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump is to acquit him and let voters decide in November whether to keep him in office.
“The key conclusion, the only conclusion, based on the evidence and the articles of impeachment themselves and the Constitution, is that you must vote to acquit the president,” Cipollone said. “At the end of the day, this is an effort to overturn the results of one election and to try to interfere in the coming election that begins today in Iowa.”
On Monday, Iowa is holding its caucuses, the first nominating contest of the 2020 election as Democrats begin to decide whom will challenge Trump in November.
“The only appropriate result here is to acquit the president and leave it to the voters to choose their president,” Cipollone said.
- Bart Jansen
Live Iowa caucuses updates: Follow along for live coverage from across Iowa, and the world
Some senators still quiet about final impeachment vote
While a Republican majority in the Senate indicates President Donald Trump will be acquitted Wednesday, how a number of key senators will vote is still up in the air. Those senators have remained fairly tight-lipped on how they will ultimately vote on both articles of impeachment.
Asked how he would vote on acquittal or conviction, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., told USA TODAY, “we’ve got a vote to make Wednesday.”
Over the weeks, Manchin, whose state supported Trump by a wide margin, has said both sides did a good job of presenting their case but has declined to say how he would vote.
Sen. Doug Jones, another Democrat representing a Trump state, said he is still wanting to hear closing arguments and that he is undecided on the final vote.
"I'm getting there. I really do want to hear the arguments and some conversations from colleagues," said the Alabama Democrat, who is facing a tough reelection battle.
Another Democrat, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., has remained virtually silent on her thoughts during the weeks-long trial. She has repeatedly declined to discuss her thoughts throughout the proceedings.
Nancy Pelosi: It was 'sad' for Mitch McConnell to 'humiliate' Chief Justice John Roberts
Votes from a number of key Republicans also remain to be seen. To convict and remove Trump from office, it would require the backing of at least 67 of the 100 senators.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, told reporters she "would concur" with Sen. Lamar Alexander's statement that what Trump did was inappropriate but not impeachable. However, she would not comment on how exactly she was voting.
When asked whether any Democrats would vote to acquit, Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., said he thinks it’s possible" a couple" would vote with Republicans "at least on obstruction of Congress."
"They've got a real difficult decision because of how heavy Trump carried those particular states," he elaborated.
- Savannah Behrmann, Nicholas Wu and Christal Hayes
Demings: Trump 'weaponized our government'
In House Democrats' closing arguments in the impeachment trial, Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., focused on President Donald Trump’s alleged pressure on Ukraine to announce investigations into a political rival.
She said the scheme served as the foundation for the Senate trial.
“President Trump weaponized our government and the vast powers entrusted to him by the American people and the Constitution to target his political rival and corrupt our precious elections, subverted our national security and our democracy in the process,” Demings said. “He put his personal interests above those of the country.”
More emails: Trump administration acknowledges emails show Trump's thinking on Ukraine aid at center of impeachment
Demings explained that Trump withheld a coveted White House meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and then $391 million in military aid while urging an investigation of former Vice President Joe Biden. She said the pressure began before a July 25 call between Trump and Zelensky, and the aid was released Sept. 11 only after Congress began investigating.
Trump’s defense team have said he was justified in seeking the investigation of possible corruption in Ukraine involving Biden and his son.
- Bart Jansen
Presidential impeachment: Clinton, Johnson, Nixon test U.S. democracy Presidents have been impeached, but none have been removed from office due to impeachment. Confusing? Here's how. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Rep. Jason Crow: Trump tried to 'cheat' and should be removed
House Democrats prosecuting President Donald Trump in the Senate impeachment trial urged in their closing arguments Monday that senators should convict and remove the president from office.
Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., said Trump tried to "cheat" in the 2020 election by inviting a foreign government to interfere in the election.
“I submit to you on behalf of the House of Representatives that your duty demands that you convict President Trump,” Crow said. “If you believe, as we do, and as we have proven, that the president’s efforts to use his official powers to cheat in the 2020 election, jeopardize our national security and are antithetical to our democratic tradition, then you must come to no other conclusion that the president threatens the fairness of the next election and risks putting foreign interference between voters and their ballots.”
The Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump began shortly after 11 a.m. Monday, beginning with closing arguments from Democratic House impeachment managers.
- Bart Jansen
Klobuchar going to Iowa Monday for caucuses
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., was asked whether it was frustrating to be in Washington on the day of the Iowa caucuses. But she said she’d be flying to Iowa at 4 p.m. EST, after the closing arguments in the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump are completed about 3 p.m.
“It is what it is. I’ve got a constitutional duty to be here,” Klobuchar said. “I’m a mom; I can do two things at once.”
Live Iowa caucuses updates: Follow along for live coverage from across Iowa, and the world
She will fly directly to New Hampshire at midnight, after the caucus.
“I’m really excited about how we’re doing right now – a few points away from the people you guys talk about,” Klobuchar said with a smile. “I’m punching way above my weight.”
- Bart Jansen and Christal Hayes
Kennedy doesn't think Democrats have made their case
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said when he counts his blessings, he counts Sen. Lamar Alexander twice. But Kennedy said he disagrees with the Tennessee Republican that the House Democrats have made their case in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.
“I don’t agree that the prosecution has made its case,” Kennedy said.
Lamar made a crucial vote Friday not to allow witnesses at the trial, helping push through a party line vote to reject witnesses and clearing the way for a final vote on acquittal or conviction Wednesday.
‘He shouldn’t have done it’: GOP Sen. Lamar Alexander, who scolded Trump on Ukraine, explains why he backs acquittal
Alexander told USA TODAY Trump's dealings with Ukraine were "a mistake" and that he "shouldn't have done it," but ultimately said the president's conduct did not meet the standard of removal from office. He said he believed the House proved its case that Trump withheld nearly $400 million in military aid last year to pressure Ukraine into investigating his political rivals, notable former Vice President Joe Biden.
Kennedy said he would explain his vote further on the Senate floor either late Monday or on Tuesday.
- Bart Jansen
Closing arguments to begin
House impeachment managers and President Donald Trump's legal team will make their closing arguments Monday as senators prepare to vote on whether to convict or acquit the president on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Those two articles of impeachment were approved by the Democratic-controlled House on Dec. 18 after a two-month inquiry into allegations that Trump held up military aid to pressure Ukraine into announcing investigations for his political benefit – including one involving former Vice President Joe Biden, a Democratic rival in the 2020 election.
Trump has insisted he did nothing wrong and was acting to combat corruption. His defense team has said the House failed to prove its case, that the abuse of power charge is too subjective and the obstruction of Congress charge robs the president of his right to claim executive privilege in court. Attorney Alan Dershowitz made the argument, which many legal scholars dispute, that even if the allegations were true, they weren't impeachable because they did not constitute a crime.
Last week, the Senate voted 51-49 against issuing subpoenas for additional witnesses and documents, which would have delayed the trial's conclusion.
Each side will have two hours to argue the case a final time before senators take to the floor to deliver speeches explaining how they view the charges. With a 53-47 Republican majority in the Senate and a two-thirds vote needed for conviction, it is almost certain the president will be acquitted in the final vote on Wednesday.
What we know: Senators will vote Wednesday to acquit or convict Trump
Impeachment and 2020 election: Warren, Sanders, Klobuchar and Bennet will have to juggle Trump impeachment trial and the Iowa caucuses Monday
Schiff: The House proved its case
The lead House impeachment manager, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calf., said Sunday Democrats "proved the corrupt scheme that they charged in the articles of impeachment."
"That's pretty remarkable when you now have senators on both sides of the aisle admitting the House made its case and the only question is: 'Should the president be removed from office because he's been found guilty of these offenses?'" Schiff said on CBS News' "Face the Nation."
Schiff said even if the Senate votes to acquit, "it's enormously important that the president was impeached" because "by standing up to this president as we have, by making the case to the American people, by exposing his wrongdoing, we are helping to slow the momentum away from our democratic values."
"But I'm not letting the senators off the hook. We're still going to go into the Senate this week and make the case why this president needs to be removed," he said. "It will be up to the senators to make that final judgment and the senators will be held accountable for it."
Schiff declined to say if the House would continue to seek testimony from former national security adviser John Bolton, who says in his upcoming book that Trump told him the aid to Ukraine was tied to the investigations Trump desired, according to news media reports. But he said one way or the other, "the truth will come out."
– William Cummings
'We want to hear that': News of John Bolton's book casts shadow over Trump impeachment trial
Republicans concede Trump should have gone through DOJ
GOP Sens. Joni Ernst of Iowa and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee said Sunday that while Trump's acts were not impeachable, he should have gone through the Department of Justice if he had concerns about Biden and his son's former position on the board of Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company.
"I think, generally speaking, going after corruption would be the right thing to do," Ernst, who declared she will vote to acquit, said on CNN's "State of the Union."
"But I think he could have done it through different channels," she added, referring to Trump's decision to have his personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, handle it. "He should have probably gone to the DOJ. He should have worked through those entities, but he chose to go a different route."
On NBC News' "Meet the Press," Alexander said he believed Trump "called the president of Ukraine and asked him to become involved in investigating Joe Biden." And he said, "at least in part, he delayed the military and other assistance to Ukraine in order to encourage that investigation."
"I think he shouldn't have done it. I think it was wrong," said Alexander, who plans to vote for acquittal.
"If he was upset about Joe Biden and his son and what they were doing in Ukraine, he should have called the attorney general and told him that, and let the attorney general handle it the way they always handle cases that involve public figures," said Alexander, who is not seeking re-election in November's election.
When asked why he thought Trump did not go to the DOJ, Alexander said, "Maybe he didn't know to do it."
"I would think he would think twice before he did it again," he added.
– William Cummings
‘He shouldn’t have done it': GOP senator who scolded Trump on Ukraine explains why he backs acquittal
Republicans keep Biden in the spotlight
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told Fox News on Sunday that "the day of reckoning is coming for congressional and Senate oversight of Joe Biden."
"I'm going to bring in State Department officials and ask them, why didn't you do something about the obvious conflict of interests Joe Biden had?" said Graham, who previously pledged to have his committee investigate the matter but has not yet scheduled any hearings.
"We're going to get to the bottom of this," he said. "And I can prove beyond any doubt that Joe Biden's effort in the Ukraine to root out corruption was undercut, because he let his son sit on the board of the most corrupt company in the Ukraine, and we're not going to give him a pass on that."
In an interview with Bloomberg News, Ernst said Democrats had lowered the bar for impeachment to the point that if Biden were to become president there would be voices calling for his removal because of Hunter Biden's connection to Burisma.
"I think this door of impeachable whatever has been opened," Ernst told Bloomberg. "We can have a situation where if it should ever be President Biden, that immediately, people, right the day after he would be elected would be saying, 'Well, we’re going to impeach him.'"
– William Cummings
'Is that true?': Here are questions senators asked during Trump's impeachment trial
Contributing: Bart Jansen, Maureen Groppe and Ledyard King