If Collins is actually committed to a fair trial, she cannot vote to acquit the president without hearing from John Bolton and all relevant witnesses
Today, Senator Susan Collins said she thinks it’s “important” to “explore with Mr. Bolton the allegations he is making” that President Trump withheld foreign aid from Ukraine in exchange for political favors. But Collins voted with Mitch McConnell 10 times to block direct witnesses like Bolton with no guarantee that they will be heard in the course of the trial and “still won’t definitively commit” to demanding witnesses.
Earlier this month, Maine Democrats called on Senator Collins to commit to a fair trial by demanding a process that guaranteed the inclusion of witnesses and important evidence, demanding the White House lift its gag order on key witnesses, and refusing to acquit Trump if a fair process does not take place.
Today, Maine Democrats are reiterating their call for Susan Collins to commit to not voting for acquittal if a fair process -- including hearing from key witnesses and reviewing key evidence -- does not take place.
“Unless we hear testimony from first hand witnesses, including officials like Mick Mulvaney and John Bolton, this trial amounts to a cover-up -- and Senator Collins would be complicit for failing to guarantee witnesses,” said Maine Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Marra. “If Senator Collins votes to acquit the President without hearing that witness testimony and evidence, she will prove to Mainers once and for all that she’s more interested in keeping Trump and McConnell happy than actually getting to the truth.”
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