Republican senator: no rules, many options for Trump impeachment trial

 

FILE PHOTO: Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) questions judicial nominees during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., December 4, 2019. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican Senator John Kennedy, a frequent defender of President Donald Trump, said on Sunday there were no real rules for how the U.S. Senate should run its impeachment trial and that the chamber could choose to hear witnesses and evidence.

 

"When it comes to impeachment, the rule is that there are virtually no substantive rules," Kennedy told CNN's "State of the Union." As a result, he said, there were plenty of steps the Senate could take, including forming a committee to hear evidence in the case.

 

The Democratic-led House of Representatives impeached Republican Trump this month for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress charges stemming from his effort to get Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden, a leading contender in the 2020 Democratic presidential race.

 

The majority-Republican Senate is expected to hold its impeachment trial early next year, once House Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivers the articles of impeachment to the chamber.

 

The U.S. Constitution has no detailed guidelines on the process, Kennedy said. "It's not a criminal trial," Kennedy said, adding there were "no standards of proof" and "no rules of evidence."

 

Senators have not been able to agree whether to allow for witnesses. Republicans have a 53-seat majority in the Senate, where 51 votes are needed to pass a set of rules for the Trump trial, so Republicans cannot afford many defectors.

 

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has said he wanted to hear testimony and submit questions before deciding on whether to admit witnesses. McConnell said this month he was working in "total coordination" with the White House on Trump's impeachment, and has said he is "not an impartial juror."

 

Kennedy said the Senate had a number of options.

 

"I'm not recommending it, but it's possible for the Senate, through the presiding officer, the chief justice, to appoint a committee to hear additional evidence, if the Senate thinks it's necessary," he said.

 

Senators take an oath to "do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws" ahead of an impeachment trial. Experts say that as a practical matter they can declare their allegiance without repercussions.

 

Last week, Republican U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski said she was disturbed by McConnell's approach, saying there should be distance between him and the White House.

 

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-12-30

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How about the rule that the senators look at facts and listen to witnesses?

They should order any witness with direct contact to POTUS to tell them the truth.

And then the senators should act a jurors according to the constitution which they all said they would protect.

Is that really so difficult to understand?

19 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

How about the rule that the senators look at facts and listen to witnesses?

They should order any witness with direct contact to POTUS to tell them the truth.

And then the senators should act a jurors according to the constitution which they all said they would protect.

Is that really so difficult to understand?

Sadly apperantly the old cover your rear end is more important to them than our democracy I think the speaker will leave him in limbo untle fair rules are hammered out after all he stands impeached

So all the marching, shouting and obfuscating in the house for due process were just a show. Now congress has the control for a transparent trial and they continue to obstruct. Plenty to hide and protect the indefensible. 

They take an oath before the trial stage begins. Just uphold that oath would be a great start.

3 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

How about the rule that the senators look at facts and listen to witnesses?

They should order any witness with direct contact to POTUS to tell them the truth.

And then the senators should act a jurors according to the constitution which they all said they would protect.

Is that really so difficult to understand?

Tell the truth, what a novel idea.

considering the dems effort was a total whitewash with no direct evidence from anyone(all just what they thought), no republican witnesses allowed, no questions from them allowed, made up impeachment charges that are not even within the impeachment regulations, the lack of openness by the dems themselves and the lies they have used, this will go no where fast. Even democrat voting law makers have said it is a load as have many other law experts, although I would love to see shifty get called(and charged for his illegal records) and also the so called secret witness, would  show the dems up as the idiots they are

4 minutes ago, seajae said:

considering the dems effort was a total whitewash with no direct evidence from anyone(all just what they thought), no republican witnesses allowed, no questions from them allowed, made up impeachment charges that are not even within the impeachment regulations, the lack of openness by the dems themselves and the lies they have used, this will go no where fast. Even democrat voting law makers have said it is a load as have many other law experts, although I would love to see shifty get called(and charged for his illegal records) and also the so called secret witness, would  show the dems up as the idiots they are

BS!

Lots of witnesses from the White House did not show because Trump told them not to go. It's called obstruction!

 

If the senators want the truth then please interview the people who work in the White House and who know the truth. If the senators don't want to listen to the people who know the truth it's pretty obvious why they do it.

 

Personally I understand why people vote for different political parties and different candidates. What I don't (want to) understand is why lots of people think it's ok to ignore the laws and the institution as long as "their" guy does it.

 

What does Trump have to do before you wake up and stop him?

Better get rid of that maniac and present a competent and honest candidate for the 2020 election.

3 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

BS!

Lots of witnesses from the White House did not show because Trump told them not to go. It's called obstruction!

 

If the senators want the truth then please interview the people who work in the White House and who know the truth. If the senators don't want to listen to the people who know the truth it's pretty obvious why they do it.

 

Personally I understand why people vote for different political parties and different candidates. What I don't (want to) understand is why lots of people think it's ok to ignore the laws and the institution as long as "their" guy does it.

 

What does Trump have to do before you wake up and stop him?

Better get rid of that maniac and present a competent and honest candidate for the 2020 election.

How can you say that about the best president America has had in the last 100 years ? It is standard policy to try and "get the dirty" on a political rival, and Trump has done no more than any of his predecessors ????

14 minutes ago, phantomfiddler said:

How can you say that about the best president America has had in the last 100 years ? It is standard policy to try and "get the dirty" on a political rival, and Trump has done no more than any of his predecessors ????

Yeah, lots of presidents have asked foreign govts to start invedtigating a political rival.

 

Every president facing impeachment refused to allow testimony from anyone and provide zero documents.

 

Im sure you will actually believe that is true.

Whatever happens the Bidens should be investigated as to how they became so rich so quickly in Ukraine.

11 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

Whatever happens the Bidens should be investigated as to how they became so rich so quickly in Ukraine.

How rich did joe get in ukraine?

 

Perhaps you should complain to the AG to have him investigated.

 

But the subject of this impeachment trial is trump. Not anyone else.

13 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

Whatever happens the Bidens should be investigated as to how they became so rich so quickly in Ukraine.

So why is it Barr doesn't want to investigate?

2 hours ago, phantomfiddler said:

How can you say that about the best president America has had in the last 100 years ? It is standard policy to try and "get the dirty" on a political rival, and Trump has done no more than any of his predecessors ????

Absolutely Clueless , Denial Much

2 hours ago, phantomfiddler said:

How can you say that about the best president America has had in the last 100 years ?

Jeez, are you for real?? Or perhaps you don't understand what "standards" are all about as this POS has lowered the standards regarding presidential behaviour to an all time zero; and consistently lying is just the start.......

7 hours ago, seajae said:

considering the dems effort was a total whitewash with no direct evidence from anyone(all just what they thought), no republican witnesses allowed, no questions from them allowed, made up impeachment charges that are not even within the impeachment regulations, the lack of openness by the dems themselves and the lies they have used, this will go no where fast. Even democrat voting law makers have said it is a load as have many other law experts, although I would love to see shifty get called(and charged for his illegal records) and also the so called secret witness, would  show the dems up as the idiots they are

Were there no Republicans on that committee?

2 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

Whatever happens the Bidens should be investigated as to how they became so rich so quickly in Ukraine.

If there is any evidence then that should happen.

And where should it happen?

In a court of law in America. Not in the press and not in congress and not in the senate.

And just in case there is not enough evidence to convict anybody in that family then please don't be surprised if the verdict is not guilty.

 

Personally I have no idea if anybody in that family is guilty. But I know that has absolutely nothing to do with Trump and Ukraine. If Trump or anybody in the US administration thought the Bidens should be investigated in the Ukraine or anywhere else then the proper channels (I guess the justice department) should officially ask the Ukraine to investigate. Now I wonder why that did not happen...

2 hours ago, xylophone said:

Jeez, are you for real?? Or perhaps you don't understand what "standards" are all about as this POS has lowered the standards regarding presidential behaviour to an all time zero; and consistently lying is just the start.......

Lying, hmm, yeah trump does lie, but what really threatens and what the dems are SO afraid of is when trump tells them the truth, straight facts that the swamp-establishment fears more than anything. They cringe and wet themselves when truth comes out.

Edited December 30, 20196 yr by i84teen

26 minutes ago, i84teen said:

Lying, hmm, yeah trump does lie, but what really threatens and what the dems are SO afraid of is when trump tells them the truth, straight facts that the swamp-establishment fears more than anything. They cringe and wet themselves when truth comes out.

Could you please give us some examples of Trump telling such truth and straight facts?

33 minutes ago, i84teen said:

Lying, hmm, yeah trump does lie, but what really threatens and what the dems are SO afraid of is when trump tells them the truth, straight facts that the swamp-establishment fears more than anything. They cringe and wet themselves when truth comes out.

Does lie? Goodness he lied 15,000 times in almost 1,000 days since he became POTUS. He is a pathological lier, a mythomaniac and has chronic behavior of compulsive and habitual lying. What ever little truth or facts are buried deep under his avalanche of lies. You condone that kind of behavior? Amazing. 

Rule #1. Do not call any witnesses at your own peril. All it will take is four dems winning currently held GOP seats, to flip the senate. There are 23 GOP seats up for grabs. I anticipate a democratically controlled senate come November anyway. Do not play by the rules, make yourselves appear highly partisan, and protect Don Donald at your own peril, and you may lose far more than those four seats. 

 

The American people are watching. Nobody likes a stooge, and few will tolerate a fully compromised circus for very long.

16 hours ago, emptypockets said:

Trump will not be impeached by the senate. Pure fantasy. He will be re-elected next year and his daughter as the first female president 4 years later. As an outsider looking in all I have seen is vindictiveness and spite from the democrats for over 3 years. No alternative policies whatsoever that would indicate they are fit to govern. Dump the Hillary remorse and articulate why you deserve voters to give you their trust and opportunity to run the country. Learn a lesson from both the recent Uk and Australian elections. People are sick of left wing rhetoric from the chardonnay socialists who are so disconnected from those they espouse to represent it is sickening.

 

Edit misquoted Eric...my apologies.

Trump already impeached and face the congress to decide on whether to acquit him after a trial (simple majority) and subsequently to remove him by a 2/3 majority. He is on shaky grounds on both fronts as more and more Rep senators are speaking unfavorably of his behavior as well as Mitch’s conduct for a fair trial. Rep senators like Mitt and other like minded senators are appalled with the immorality of Trump while other like Susan and others have to face discontentment of their voters.   
 

Even if Trump got acquitted on partisan line, he will face a different demography from 2016. More young voters, female and non white voters will give him less of a chance to be re-elected.

 

The Dems are just doing their duty as people representatives to investigate corrupt Presidents. 
 

As for Ivanka...    never mind. Not even deserved an opinion, 

On 12/30/2019 at 8:21 AM, i84teen said:

Lying, hmm, yeah trump does lie, but what really threatens and what the dems are SO afraid of is when trump tells them the truth, straight facts that the swamp-establishment fears more than anything. They cringe and wet themselves when truth comes out.

? What are you on about? Your post makes no sense. Lets examine your logic. Trump lies but he tells the truth? 

That makes no sense. 

Many trump followers suffer from trump derangement syndrome - an inability to process anything but the lies of their dear leader. Sadly the USA as a country is suffering. 

On 12/29/2019 at 8:04 PM, OneMoreFarang said:

How about the rule that the senators look at facts and listen to witnesses?

They should order any witness with direct contact to POTUS to tell them the truth.

And then the senators should act a jurors according to the constitution which they all said they would protect.

Is that really so difficult to understand?

 

Everything begins to become hard to understand after that circus the house attempted to run. You don't go from rigged to fair when it suits you. 

On 12/29/2019 at 11:35 PM, OneMoreFarang said:

BS!

Lots of witnesses from the White House did not show because Trump told them not to go. It's called obstruction!

 

If the senators want the truth then please interview the people who work in the White House and who know the truth. If the senators don't want to listen to the people who know the truth it's pretty obvious why they do it.

 

Personally I understand why people vote for different political parties and different candidates. What I don't (want to) understand is why lots of people think it's ok to ignore the laws and the institution as long as "their" guy does it.

 

What does Trump have to do before you wake up and stop him?

Better get rid of that maniac and present a competent and honest candidate for the 2020 election.

 

It's called executive privilege. The dems didn't pursue it with the courts. If anytime a president asserts executive privilege it is considered impeachable things will get nuts. 

 

So that leaves abuse of power which since it isn't legally defined is a matter of opinion. Keep up the good fight though. 

9 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

Trump already impeached and face the congress to decide on whether to acquit him after a trial (simple majority) and subsequently to remove him by a 2/3 majority. He is on shaky grounds on both fronts as more and more Rep senators are speaking unfavorably of his behavior as well as Mitch’s conduct for a fair trial. Rep senators like Mitt and other like minded senators are appalled with the immorality of Trump while other like Susan and others have to face discontentment of their voters.   
 

Even if Trump got acquitted on partisan line, he will face a different demography from 2016. More young voters, female and non white voters will give him less of a chance to be re-elected.

 

The Dems are just doing their duty as people representatives to investigate corrupt Presidents. 
 

As for Ivanka...    never mind. Not even deserved an opinion, 

 

The dems don't have any traction and are losing momentum bigly in the only states that matter. If a miner can go down a hole he can learn to code. hahaha They are so out of touch. In states where people actually do real work you don't just come on in and threaten a man's livelihood. 

 

Unless you are actually on the ground in these places you are not going to understand the overwhelming support for Trump. It is absolutely unwavering. Taking Trump out of office would be considered by some a coup at this point. 

There is another possible. A secret  vote in the Senate. If that was to happen it has  already been considered  Trump  would  be criminal history because a majortary  of the  Senators have  privately  indicted they  would find  him  guilty if that was  an option. Self serving  gutless  mongrels!

6 minutes ago, Dumbastheycome said:

There is another possible. A secret  vote in the Senate. If that was to happen it has  already been considered  Trump  would  be criminal history because a majortary  of the  Senators have  privately  indicted they  would find  him  guilty if that was  an option. Self serving  gutless  mongrels!

 

I believe a majority has to agree to it. Also a secret vote would be a very dangerous thing to do.

2 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

 

I believe a majority has to agree to it. Also a secret vote would be a very dangerous thing to do.

Dangerous  to Trump  sure. Otherwise?

4 minutes ago, Dumbastheycome said:

Dangerous  to Trump  sure. Otherwise?

 

Use your imagination. I am telling you it will be considered a coup by millions of people. Especially if it is done in secret.

Edited December 31, 20196 yr by Cryingdick