The U.S Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has informed his colleagues in the Senate that he doesn’t have enough votes yet to block new witness testimonies in the ongoing impeachment trial of President. He reportedly informed people in a closed-door meeting that he can’t yet block witnesses, GOP sources familiar with the conversation told AP and Fox Business after Trump’s legal defense team made their closing arguments earlier this afternoon. McConnell’s comments come as Republicans and Democrats continue their battle over whether to call for sworn testimony. The vote for potential witnesses in the Senate impeachment trial is expected to be taken in several days. Democrats need 4 Republicans to vote with them to subpoena John Bolton and others to testify in the proceedings.
Senators Mitt Romney and Susan Collins have indicated they will likely support the call for witness testimony. Republicans have primarily been pushing for a fast trial and acquittal. Trump’s defense team has come under additional pressure in recent days after revelations from Bolton’s upcoming book further highlighted the importance of new witnesses to be heard. The former national security adviser reportedly claimed the president said in August that he needed to keep withholding $391 million in military aid to Ukraine until the country’s officials agreed to investigate his Democratic rivals former Vice President Joe Biden.
It is noteworthy that Biden has been leading the 2020 race for the party’s nomination in most polls since announcing his campaign last April. Bolton has already indicated that he will testify if asked by lawmakers. But, Trump ordered his current and former aides from cooperating with the impeachment proceedings against him. The former national security adviser’s recount of his conversation with Trump challenges the president’s legal team’s claims of zero quid pro quo. A new Quinnipiac University poll has indicated that a large majority, 75% of voters need the Senate to allow witness testimonies. Trump’s defense team has warned against allowing Bolton to testify. They claim his comments are inadmissible.