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Dems first amendment to impeachment rules defeated

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Published : Jan 22, 2020, 12:18 AM IST

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Updated : Jan 22, 2020, 1:41 PM IST

Schiff chides Trump, Republicans for trial rules

Schiff chides Trump, Republicans for trial rules

11:41 January 22

Schiff: 'We're making it hard for you'

The opening day of President Donald Trump's impeachment trial in the US Senate stretched deep into the night.

The opening day of President Donald Trump's impeachment trial in the US Senate stretched deep into the night.

Senators remained as the clock passed 10:30 pm, while Democrats pursued what may be their only chance to force senators to vote on hearing new testimony.

However, Republicans turned back Democratic amendments to subpoena documents from the White House, State Department, Defense Department, and budget office, with more votes expected to reject key witnesses with a front-row seat to Trump's actions.

By the same 53-47 party-line, senators turned aside the Democrats' request to subpoena acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney.

As the hours mounted, McConnell offered Democrats a deal to stack the votes more quickly, but Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer countered that voting could resume Wednesday.

No deal was reached.

“It's not our job to make it easy for you," Rep. Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee leading the prosecution, told the Senate. “Our job is to make it hard to deprive the American people of a fair trial.”

07:10 January 22

Senate rejects Dems' bid for State Dept documents

Washington: The US Senate rejected an amendment offered by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer seeking documents from the State Department during the first day of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.

It was turned back on the strict party line vote, 53-47.

Prior to the vote, President Trump's attorney, Jay Seculow argued the president's communications with advisors are covered under executive privilege.

"The Supreme Court found such a privilege necessary to guarantee the candor of presidential advisers," Seulow said.

Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff argued the documents are necessary to conduct a fair trial.

"Are you prepared to say that that president can simply say, I'm going to fight all subpoenas," Schiff asked on the Senate floor.

"Are you prepared to say and accept that president saying, I have absolute immunity?"

The rare impeachment trial, unfolding in an election year, is testing whether Trump's actions toward Ukraine warrant removal at the same time that voters are forming their own verdict on his White House.

Chief Justice John Roberts read the results of the vote gaveled open the session hours earlier, with House prosecutors on one side, Trump's team on the other.

Trump's legal team doesn't dispute Trump's actions - that he called the Ukraine president and asked for a “favour” during a July 25 phone call.

In fact, the lawyers included the rough transcript of Trump's conversation as part of its 110-page trial brief submitted ahead of the proceedings.

Instead the lawyers for the president, led Cipollone and a TV-famous legal team including Alan Dershowitz, said that the two charges against the president don't amount to impeachable offenses and Trump committed no crime.

04:25 January 22

Dems first amendment to impeachment rules defeated

By a vote of 53 to 47 the motion to table the Schumer Amendment was approved on Tuesday.

The first amendment to the rules Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell put forward for the impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump was defeated on Tuesday.

By a vote of 53 to 47 the motion to table the Schumer Amendment was approved on Tuesday.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer introduced the proposal in the hopes of issuing a subpoena to the White House for “all documents, communications and other records” relating to the Ukraine matter.

It seeks records about Trump’s orders to hold off military aid to Ukraine, along with White House communications about any investigations it wanted about the Bidens.

In a vote later Tuesday, it was likely to be rejected by Republicans.

Democrats had warned that the rules package from Trump's ally, the Senate GOP leader, could force midnight sessions that would keep most Americans in the dark and create a sham proceeding.

This comes as House managers faced off with lawyers representing Trump who say the two charges against the president don't amount to impeachable offenses and Trump committed no crime.

03:42 January 22

Schumer presents amendment to impeachment rules

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

The Senate was debating an amendment to the impeachment rules on Tuesday afternoon that was put forward by Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer.

The amendment asks to subpoena various documents from the White House, among other things.

"The House managers strongly support Senator Schumer's amendment, which would ensure a fair, legitimate trial based on a full evidentiary record," said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, one of the House impeachment managers.

02:19 January 22

Schiff chides Trump, Republicans for trial rules

Impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., speaks against the organizing resolution for the trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the US Capitol in Washington, Tuesday.

Impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., speaks against the organizing resolution for the trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the US Capitol in Washington, Tuesday.

US House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff denounced President Donald Trump and Republican Senate leaders on Tuesday for refusing to allow witnesses or additional documents at the impeachment trial.

Speaking on the Senate floor during a debate on trial rules, Schiff insisted that there is "no rational basis for the Senate to deprive itself of all relevant information in making such a hugely consequential judgment."

Democrats were reacting to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's impeachment trial rules that proposed a speedy and condensed trial consisting of a two-day schedule for each side and no guarantee that witnesses will be called or evidence submitted.

By Tuesday afternoon, McConnell had relaxed his proposed rules to offer three days, rather than two, for opening arguments from each side.

"The facts will come out in the end. The documents, which the president is hiding, will be released through the Freedom of Information Act or through other means over time. Witnesses will tell their stories in books and film. The truth will come out. The question is, will it come out in time?" Schiff asked.

01:43 January 22

McConnell abruptly eases impeachment limits

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell abruptly eased his restrictive proposed rules for US President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, backing off the condensed two-day schedule to add a third for opening arguments after protests from senators, including Republicans.

The trial quickly burst into a partisan fight at the Capitol as the president's lawyers opened arguments on Tuesday in support of McConnell's plan. Democrats objected loudly to McConnell's initially proposed rules, and some Republicans made their concerns known in private at a GOP lunch.

Without comment, the Republican leader quietly submitted an amended proposal after meeting behind closed doors with his senators as the trial opened. The handwritten changes would add the extra day and allow House evidence to be included in the record. There is still deep disagreement about calling additional witnesses.

“It’s time to start with this trial,” said White House Counsel Pat Cipollone, the president's lead lawyer in brief remarks as the proceedings opened in public.

“It’s a fair process,” he said. "There is absolutely no case.”

01:01 January 22

Chief Justice reads impeachment rules to Senate

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts speaks during the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Tuesday.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts speaks during the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Tuesday.

Chief Justice John Roberts is starting to juggle two jobs as the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump gets underway.

On Tuesday morning, he donned his black robe and oversaw two arguments at the Supreme Court before heading across the street to the US Capitol where he is presiding over the trial in the Senate chamber. His busy schedule meant he didn't have time to join his fellow justices for a group lunch, a high court custom following arguments.

Over the past 14 years, he has gotten comfortable in the role of chief justice of the United States, but presiding over Trump's trial will be a new, public role for Roberts, who is used to proceedings that aren't televised as they are in the Senate.

It is only the third presidential impeachment trial in US history, coming just weeks before the first primaries of the 2020 election season and as voters are assessing Trump's first term and weighing the candidates who want to challenge him in the fall.

00:57 January 22

McConnell lays out first day of impeachment trial

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell lays out first day of impeachment trial at the US Capitol in Washington, on Tuesday.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell lays out how the first day of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump will go.

McConnell opened the chamber promising a “fair, even-handed” process and warned that the Senate would stay in session until his proposed rules package was adopted.

The first test was coming midday as the senators prepared to begin debate and vote on McConnell's proposed rules.

McConnell had promised to set rules similar to the last impeachment trial, of former president Bill Clinton in 1999, but his resolution diverged in key ways.

00:29 January 22

Democrats decry McConnell impeachment trial rules

Democratic leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., right, and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., walk on the steps in the US Capitol on the first full day of the impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump.

Democratic leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., right, and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., walk on the steps in the US Capitol on the first full day of the impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump.

US President Donald Trump's impeachment trial got underway in earnest on Tuesday afternoon, beginning with a partisan fight over rules proposaed by the Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, for compressed arguments and a speedy trial.

In remarks on the Senate floor, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer decried McConnell's trial plan as "completely partisan" and "designed by President Trump for President Trump.

Democrats warned that the rules package from Trump ally McConnell could force midnight sessions that would keep most Americans in the dark and create a sham proceeding.

"The McConnell resolution will result in a rushed trial with little evidence in the dark of night. Literally the dark of night," Schumer said.

"If the president's case is so weak that none of the president's men can defend him under oath, shame on him and those who allow it to happen," he added.

00:05 January 22

Senate kicks off debate in Trump impeachment trial

White House counsel Pat Cipollone, stands and waits to be recognized by presiding officer Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts during the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the US Capitol in Washington, on Tuesday.

White House counsel Pat Cipollone, stands and waits to be recognized by presiding officer Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts during the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the US Capitol in Washington, on Tuesday.

The historic impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump opened the debate with fireworks on Tuesday.

House Democrats impeached the Republican president last month on two charges: abuse of power by withholding US military aid to Ukraine as he pressed the country to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden, and obstruction of Congress by refusing to cooperate with their investigation.

The Constitution gives the House the sole power to impeach a president and the Senate the final verdict by convening as the impeachment court for a trial.

Read also: As trial nears, Trump lawyers call impeachment case 'flimsy'

The president late Monday named eight House Republicans, some of his fiercest defenders, to a special team tasked with rallying support beyond the Senate chamber in the court of public opinion.

No president has ever been removed from office by the Senate. With its 53-47 Republican majority, the Senate is not expected to mount the two-thirds voted needed for conviction. Even if it did, the White House team argues it would be an "unconstitutional conviction'' because the articles of impeachment were too broad.

Read also: Buckle up: What to watch as impeachment trial takes off

11:41 January 22

Schiff: 'We're making it hard for you'

The opening day of President Donald Trump's impeachment trial in the US Senate stretched deep into the night.

The opening day of President Donald Trump's impeachment trial in the US Senate stretched deep into the night.

Senators remained as the clock passed 10:30 pm, while Democrats pursued what may be their only chance to force senators to vote on hearing new testimony.

However, Republicans turned back Democratic amendments to subpoena documents from the White House, State Department, Defense Department, and budget office, with more votes expected to reject key witnesses with a front-row seat to Trump's actions.

By the same 53-47 party-line, senators turned aside the Democrats' request to subpoena acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney.

As the hours mounted, McConnell offered Democrats a deal to stack the votes more quickly, but Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer countered that voting could resume Wednesday.

No deal was reached.

“It's not our job to make it easy for you," Rep. Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee leading the prosecution, told the Senate. “Our job is to make it hard to deprive the American people of a fair trial.”

07:10 January 22

Senate rejects Dems' bid for State Dept documents

Washington: The US Senate rejected an amendment offered by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer seeking documents from the State Department during the first day of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.

It was turned back on the strict party line vote, 53-47.

Prior to the vote, President Trump's attorney, Jay Seculow argued the president's communications with advisors are covered under executive privilege.

"The Supreme Court found such a privilege necessary to guarantee the candor of presidential advisers," Seulow said.

Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff argued the documents are necessary to conduct a fair trial.

"Are you prepared to say that that president can simply say, I'm going to fight all subpoenas," Schiff asked on the Senate floor.

"Are you prepared to say and accept that president saying, I have absolute immunity?"

The rare impeachment trial, unfolding in an election year, is testing whether Trump's actions toward Ukraine warrant removal at the same time that voters are forming their own verdict on his White House.

Chief Justice John Roberts read the results of the vote gaveled open the session hours earlier, with House prosecutors on one side, Trump's team on the other.

Trump's legal team doesn't dispute Trump's actions - that he called the Ukraine president and asked for a “favour” during a July 25 phone call.

In fact, the lawyers included the rough transcript of Trump's conversation as part of its 110-page trial brief submitted ahead of the proceedings.

Instead the lawyers for the president, led Cipollone and a TV-famous legal team including Alan Dershowitz, said that the two charges against the president don't amount to impeachable offenses and Trump committed no crime.

04:25 January 22

Dems first amendment to impeachment rules defeated

By a vote of 53 to 47 the motion to table the Schumer Amendment was approved on Tuesday.

The first amendment to the rules Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell put forward for the impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump was defeated on Tuesday.

By a vote of 53 to 47 the motion to table the Schumer Amendment was approved on Tuesday.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer introduced the proposal in the hopes of issuing a subpoena to the White House for “all documents, communications and other records” relating to the Ukraine matter.

It seeks records about Trump’s orders to hold off military aid to Ukraine, along with White House communications about any investigations it wanted about the Bidens.

In a vote later Tuesday, it was likely to be rejected by Republicans.

Democrats had warned that the rules package from Trump's ally, the Senate GOP leader, could force midnight sessions that would keep most Americans in the dark and create a sham proceeding.

This comes as House managers faced off with lawyers representing Trump who say the two charges against the president don't amount to impeachable offenses and Trump committed no crime.

03:42 January 22

Schumer presents amendment to impeachment rules

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

The Senate was debating an amendment to the impeachment rules on Tuesday afternoon that was put forward by Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer.

The amendment asks to subpoena various documents from the White House, among other things.

"The House managers strongly support Senator Schumer's amendment, which would ensure a fair, legitimate trial based on a full evidentiary record," said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, one of the House impeachment managers.

02:19 January 22

Schiff chides Trump, Republicans for trial rules

Impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., speaks against the organizing resolution for the trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the US Capitol in Washington, Tuesday.

Impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., speaks against the organizing resolution for the trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the US Capitol in Washington, Tuesday.

US House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff denounced President Donald Trump and Republican Senate leaders on Tuesday for refusing to allow witnesses or additional documents at the impeachment trial.

Speaking on the Senate floor during a debate on trial rules, Schiff insisted that there is "no rational basis for the Senate to deprive itself of all relevant information in making such a hugely consequential judgment."

Democrats were reacting to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's impeachment trial rules that proposed a speedy and condensed trial consisting of a two-day schedule for each side and no guarantee that witnesses will be called or evidence submitted.

By Tuesday afternoon, McConnell had relaxed his proposed rules to offer three days, rather than two, for opening arguments from each side.

"The facts will come out in the end. The documents, which the president is hiding, will be released through the Freedom of Information Act or through other means over time. Witnesses will tell their stories in books and film. The truth will come out. The question is, will it come out in time?" Schiff asked.

01:43 January 22

McConnell abruptly eases impeachment limits

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell abruptly eased his restrictive proposed rules for US President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, backing off the condensed two-day schedule to add a third for opening arguments after protests from senators, including Republicans.

The trial quickly burst into a partisan fight at the Capitol as the president's lawyers opened arguments on Tuesday in support of McConnell's plan. Democrats objected loudly to McConnell's initially proposed rules, and some Republicans made their concerns known in private at a GOP lunch.

Without comment, the Republican leader quietly submitted an amended proposal after meeting behind closed doors with his senators as the trial opened. The handwritten changes would add the extra day and allow House evidence to be included in the record. There is still deep disagreement about calling additional witnesses.

“It’s time to start with this trial,” said White House Counsel Pat Cipollone, the president's lead lawyer in brief remarks as the proceedings opened in public.

“It’s a fair process,” he said. "There is absolutely no case.”

01:01 January 22

Chief Justice reads impeachment rules to Senate

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts speaks during the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Tuesday.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts speaks during the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Tuesday.

Chief Justice John Roberts is starting to juggle two jobs as the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump gets underway.

On Tuesday morning, he donned his black robe and oversaw two arguments at the Supreme Court before heading across the street to the US Capitol where he is presiding over the trial in the Senate chamber. His busy schedule meant he didn't have time to join his fellow justices for a group lunch, a high court custom following arguments.

Over the past 14 years, he has gotten comfortable in the role of chief justice of the United States, but presiding over Trump's trial will be a new, public role for Roberts, who is used to proceedings that aren't televised as they are in the Senate.

It is only the third presidential impeachment trial in US history, coming just weeks before the first primaries of the 2020 election season and as voters are assessing Trump's first term and weighing the candidates who want to challenge him in the fall.

00:57 January 22

McConnell lays out first day of impeachment trial

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell lays out first day of impeachment trial at the US Capitol in Washington, on Tuesday.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell lays out how the first day of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump will go.

McConnell opened the chamber promising a “fair, even-handed” process and warned that the Senate would stay in session until his proposed rules package was adopted.

The first test was coming midday as the senators prepared to begin debate and vote on McConnell's proposed rules.

McConnell had promised to set rules similar to the last impeachment trial, of former president Bill Clinton in 1999, but his resolution diverged in key ways.

00:29 January 22

Democrats decry McConnell impeachment trial rules

Democratic leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., right, and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., walk on the steps in the US Capitol on the first full day of the impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump.

Democratic leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., right, and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., walk on the steps in the US Capitol on the first full day of the impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump.

US President Donald Trump's impeachment trial got underway in earnest on Tuesday afternoon, beginning with a partisan fight over rules proposaed by the Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, for compressed arguments and a speedy trial.

In remarks on the Senate floor, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer decried McConnell's trial plan as "completely partisan" and "designed by President Trump for President Trump.

Democrats warned that the rules package from Trump ally McConnell could force midnight sessions that would keep most Americans in the dark and create a sham proceeding.

"The McConnell resolution will result in a rushed trial with little evidence in the dark of night. Literally the dark of night," Schumer said.

"If the president's case is so weak that none of the president's men can defend him under oath, shame on him and those who allow it to happen," he added.

00:05 January 22

Senate kicks off debate in Trump impeachment trial

White House counsel Pat Cipollone, stands and waits to be recognized by presiding officer Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts during the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the US Capitol in Washington, on Tuesday.

White House counsel Pat Cipollone, stands and waits to be recognized by presiding officer Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts during the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the US Capitol in Washington, on Tuesday.

The historic impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump opened the debate with fireworks on Tuesday.

House Democrats impeached the Republican president last month on two charges: abuse of power by withholding US military aid to Ukraine as he pressed the country to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden, and obstruction of Congress by refusing to cooperate with their investigation.

The Constitution gives the House the sole power to impeach a president and the Senate the final verdict by convening as the impeachment court for a trial.

Read also: As trial nears, Trump lawyers call impeachment case 'flimsy'

The president late Monday named eight House Republicans, some of his fiercest defenders, to a special team tasked with rallying support beyond the Senate chamber in the court of public opinion.

No president has ever been removed from office by the Senate. With its 53-47 Republican majority, the Senate is not expected to mount the two-thirds voted needed for conviction. Even if it did, the White House team argues it would be an "unconstitutional conviction'' because the articles of impeachment were too broad.

Read also: Buckle up: What to watch as impeachment trial takes off

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Last Updated : Jan 22, 2020, 1:41 PM IST

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