Republicans are continuing their denial of the facts as they try to convince Americans that there is nothing to see in the U.S. Senate trial of president Donald Trump, despite the bombshell revelations from former national security adviser John Bolton.
Bolton who was fired by Trump last year after a disagreement is said to be coming out with a book.
New York Times reports that a draft of that book reveals Trump not only knew about the dealings with Ukraine, he linked releasing aid to Ukraine to investigations into former vice president Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden.
Trump’s legal team resume their defense of the president on Tuesday by simply choosing to ignore the new Bolton revelation or simply dismissing it as nothing new.
Republican senate leadership led by Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) downplayed the Bolton bombshell, even going as far as dismissing it altogether.
But a few GOP senators including Mitch Romney (R-Utah) said the new revelations changes the dynamics of the trial.
“I think it’s important for us to hear from John Bolton,” the senator from Utah said.
He said it is increasingly likely that he will vote to subpoena witnesses and documents, including calling John Bolton to testify.
I think it’s important for us to hear from John Bolton for us to be able to make an impartial judgment,” Romney told reporters.
Maine senator Susan Collins also issued a statement saying she was likely to vote for witnesses to be called to testify.
“The reports about John Bolton’s book strengthen the case for witnesses and have prompted a number of conversations among my colleagues,” she said.
Meanwhile Republican Alaska senator Lisa Murkowski reiterated her earlier statement that she was “curious” to learn what Bolton has to say.
Other Republican senators like John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) were quick to dismiss the whole development.
“Truly, there’s nothing new here. It does seem to be an effort to sell books,” Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) told reporters on Monday.
“I want to know what’s in the manuscript, yeah, I think that’s important,” said Sen. Graham, adding “It could. I don’t know yet. The White House said there was no direct evidence of communications, maybe this suggests that one person said there might be.”
“What I’ve said all along is if you’re going to add to the record, we’re going to do it in a balanced way. So let’s see what’s in the manuscript, let’s see if it’s relevant, and if it is, then I’ll make a decision about Bolton,” said Graham. “But I promise you this— if we add to the record, then we’re going to call Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, all these other people,” Graham continued.
But Democrats say it is an uphill battle to convince Republicans to vote in favor of calling witnesses and more documents because of the enormous pressure exerted by Trump and GOP leaders.
“We know the pressure they’re under. President Trump does not brook criticism, dissent kindly among Republicans. But we’re hoping in this kind of solemn, serious, historic and constitutional proceeding that the weight of doing what’s right, the weight of getting all of the facts, will weigh heavily on the shoulders of enough Republicans so we can get a fair trial,” Schumer said.
