Politico spoke with Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) on Saturday about the decision made by Republicans in the Senate to not allow witnesses at Donald Trump’s impeachment trial.
The publication noted that Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), who was the last hope for Democrats to allow witnesses, sealed the fate of Republicans in the future by claiming that she would vote “no” on witnesses.
According to the report from Politico, “On Friday morning the interest in Murkowski was overwhelming. CNN fixed a camera on the hallways outside her office in case she would emerge and break the news. When Murkowski left her office, she dipped out the back, bumped into E&E reporter Geof Koss and gave him the news: She was a ‘no’ and Roberts would not have to break the tie.”
“The moment confirmed what GOP leaders had been projecting all week: The witness vote would fail, and Trump would be acquitted by a Senate that never heard from former national security adviser John Bolton, even as new revelations in a forthcoming book rattled Washington,” Politico added.
However, Murphy said that one vote may have altered the future of many GOP lawmakers, including some who are facing re-election in November.
According to Politico, Murphy said “the GOP’s move to dismiss relevant witness testimony will be cited for years to come and be wielded by Democrats in upcoming Senate races,” adding it would amount to a “giant political nightmare for Republicans.”
“This is the most high-profile event of the presidency over the final two years. And I think it will have legs. I think it will have impact,” Murphy stated. “We now have legitimate reason to contest the fairness of the trial and the acquittal of the president.”
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