Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and other Senate Democrats are plotting to use Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to strip Republicans of power and force witness testimony.
Senator Van Hollen said:
“A fair trial includes documents and witnesses. And in a fair trial the judge determines what evidence is admitted. My motion ensures the Chief Justice will serve the same role as a judge in any trial across our country – to allow the Senate access to the facts they need to get to the truth,” Van Hollen said in a statement. “My motion requires the Chief Justice to subpoena witnesses and documents if he determines they are likely to provide evidence relevant to the articles of impeachment. It would also require the Chief Justice to rule on any executive privilege – to prevent efforts by the Administration to stonewall and delay access to the facts.”
“This motion is consistent with Senate rules and could pass with a majority vote, and would preserve the right of the Senate to overrule the Chief Justice if the majority disagrees,” Van Hollen said.
“No Republican can question the fairness of this approach – the Chief Justice oversees the highest court in our land and was nominated by a Republican President,” the senator said in his statement. “And, given his authority to rule on questions of privilege, they should not fear a drawn-out process. I urge my colleagues to seek out truth and the facts and to vote in support of my motion. Anything else constitutes an effort to hide the truth.”
On Friday, I plan to offer a motion that will require Chief Justice Roberts to:
1. Subpoena witnesses and documents if he determines they are relevant.
2. Rule on any claims of executive privilege in order to expedite the trial. pic.twitter.com/z7rc3PYZzA
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) January 30, 2020
Hollen’s statement comes after Democrat House Managers had their worst day so far during the impeachment trial, at one point they even contradicted the whistleblower. News is also coming out from Senate Republicans that after Wednesday’s question and answer session Republicans have the votes to block new witnesses from testifying.
From the beginning, Senate Republicans have agreed that any witness should have been called in the House. When the Trump Administration officials were hit with a subpoena, the Trump Administration claimed executive privilege. Instead of being patient and waiting for the courts to decide House Speaker Nancy Pelosi decided to move on (her loss).
This move by Hollen is an attempt to strip the President and Republicans of their authority so the Democrats can continue to play games and draw out the impeachment process.
