Senate Democrats known as on constituents to flood cellphone strains. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii tweeted the cellphone variety of the Senate sw
Senate Democrats known as on constituents to flood cellphone strains. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii tweeted the cellphone variety of the Senate switchboard, urging individuals to name and demand that lawmakers permit new witnesses and proof to be thought of.
A key Republican mentioned he would wait a short time to determine on witnesses. Senator Mitt Romney, who has mentioned he’s interested by listening to from John Bolton, Mr. Trump’s former nationwide safety adviser, mentioned in an announcement Tuesday he would think about a vote to name witnesses solely after opening arguments are full, which, below Mr. McConnell’s plan, could possibly be as quickly as subsequent week.
The White Home responded angrily to demands that Mr. Cipollone flip over paperwork. The requests advised that Mr. Cipollone, the White Home counsel, may need conflicts representing the president in a trial that revolved round occasions wherein he performed a component. “The concept the counsel to the president has to show over protected paperwork and confidential data is ludicrous,” a White Home spokesman mentioned Tuesday.
White Home attorneys are making ready for the chance that witnesses will probably be allowed. They’re planning contingencies for Mr. Bolton getting known as, in response to my colleague Maggie Haberman. Objections to his testimony would probably contain arguing that parts of it are categorised, then taking that argument to federal courtroom.
What it appeared like on Capitol Hill as we speak
Particular curved tables had been arrange within the Senate chamber to accommodate the Home managers and White Home attorneys. Lawmakers had been solely allowed to drink water and milk (milk!) within the room through the trial. One senator was responsible for doling out candy to his colleagues, who had been pressured to take a seat attentively during the proceedings.
I requested my colleague Catie Edmondson, who was on Capitol Hill, to present me a way of what it appeared and felt like on the primary busy day of the trial. Right here’s what she advised me:
A throng of roughly two dozen photographers had been stationed in a roped-off pen simply between Mr. McConnell’s workplace and the Senate ground, and as lawmakers walked from his workplace to their desks, a outstanding and blinding flash of sunshine would go off because the photographers captured them.
Safety — for everybody — was as restrictive as I’ve ever seen it. Reporters trying to enter the chamber needed to first undergo a steel detector (we, together with anybody visiting or working there, ordinarily solely undergo detectors to enter the Capitol amenities). Aides had been escorting reporters confined to these press pens between flooring.
The visible of all 100 senators seated at their desks sans electronics — many rigorously taking notes on authorized pads and notebooks with glasses perched on their noses — was additionally an uncommon one for the Senate. We’re used to seeing them milling about forward of a vote, or not within the chamber in any respect.
Even the gallery above the Senate was notable. Among the many visitors: the actress-turned-activist Alyssa Milano and Jeff Flake, the previous Republican senator.
Since photographers will not be allowed within the Senate chamber, The Occasions despatched a Supreme Courtroom sketch artist to cowl the trial. See his drawings here.