What we learned at the Trump trial Saturday
President Donald Trump’s legal team began their opening arguments by immediately seeking to cast doubt on Democrats’ case that Trump tried to pressure Ukraine into investigating Joe Biden.
White House counsel Pat Cipollone and his deputy Michael Purpura noted that central witnesses in the House’s impeachment hearings based their assessments on “presumptions” and “guesswork” rather than knowledge of Trump’s intentions. They also went directly after Rep. Adam Schiff at one point for parodying Trump’s July 25 call with the Ukrainian president at a congressional hearing, an episode Trump has repeatedly seized on.
The initial reaction from senators split predictably along party lines, with Republicans praising the Trump defense and Democrats arguing the president’s lawyers only bolstered their case for bringing in additional witnesses to clarify Trump’s intent.
What’s happening Monday?
Trump’s team will continue with their opening arguments when the Senate reconvenes at 1:00 p.m. Monday. (The trial takes a hiatus on Sunday.)
Look for legal heavyweights added to the team, including former independent counsel Kenneth Starr and retired Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, to make their first appearance to defend Trump. Here are the most noteworthy moments from the fifth day of the trial
> Trump’s legal team launches attack on Dem case
> Trump’s team goes after Schiff
> 28,578 pages of evidence
Senate Republicans eye quick Trump acquittal after witness vote
Senate GOP leaders are strongly considering a move to quickly end President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial next week if a motion to call additional witnesses is defeated, according to three top Republican senators.
The Republican strategy — which is still fluid — could mean senators have limited time between key procedural votes and the final vote on whether to convict the president of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
And with the odds growing against additional witnesses being called, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will face critical decisions on how fast he can bring the proceedings to an end.
Lots more HERE and follow links below to other sources:
AXIOS: Trump’s lawyers begin their presentation against impeachment
The Sun: Day five highlights as Republicans make their defence in the impeachment trial against Donald Trump
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