Democrats Quickly Back Down After Voting To Call Impeachment Witnesses

Senate Democrats backtracked after initially voting earlier Saturday to call witnesses in Donald Trump ’s second impeachment trial following new revelations about the former president’s activity on Jan. 6 as rioters were storming the U.S. Capitol.

Their reversal on calling witnesses capped a dramatic and chaotic two hours in the Senate. The impeachment trial appeared ready to wrap with a quick vote on Trump’s acquittal until a dramatic Friday-night revelation about the former president’s conduct while the Jan. 6 violence unfolded shook up the trial.

Some Democrats made the case for admitting new testimony in the wake of CNN’s report on Friday. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) suggested deposing McCarthy and Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), who also spoke with Trump that day, as well as asking the Secret Service to produce communications back to the White House regarding Vice President Mike Pence’s safety during the siege.

Democrats initially seemed ready to move on prior to the Friday-night revelation, viewing the case against Trump as open-and-shut. But that surprise turn made them reconsider if only briefly.

Subpoenaing witnesses would almost certainly have prolonged the trial, something Democrats wanted to avoid in order to move on to more politically popular issues such as passing additional coronavirus relief. Democratic lawmakers are racing to send a $1.9 trillion coronavirus bill to Biden’s desk by March, when added federal unemployment insurance is due to expire for millions of Americans.

Democrats also knew that witness testimony wasn’t likely to change the minds of many Republicans who were ready to acquit Trump before House impeachment managers had even delivered their opening arguments. Only a handful of Republicans are considering voting to convict Trump, far short of the 17 votes needed.

Trump is now expected to be acquitted later on Saturday, with senators heading home for a weeklong recess immediately after the vote

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.