Biden clarifies previous statements about not testifying in Senate impeachment trial

Democratic presidential candidate Joe BidenJoe BidenSenate Democrats negotiating changes to coronavirus bill Rural Americans are the future of the clean energy economy — policymakers must to catch up WHO official says it's 'premature' to think pandemic will be over by end of year MORE on Saturday clarified a prior statement that he would not comply with a Senate subpoena in President TrumpDonald TrumpProsecutors focus Trump Organization probe on company's financial officer: report WHO official says it's 'premature' to think pandemic will be over by end of year Romney released from hospital after fall over the weekend MORE's impeachment trial, saying that the matter concerns "Trump’s conduct, not mine."

"I have always complied with a lawful order and in my eight years as VP, my office — unlike Donald Trump and Mike PenceMichael (Mike) Richard PenceOvernight Health Care: Senate to vote on .9 trillion relief bill this week | J&J vaccine rollout begins | CDC warns against lifting restrictions Haley praises Trump CPAC speech after breaking with him over Capitol riot Republican Ohio Senate candidate calls on GOP rep to resign over impeachment vote MORE — cooperated with legitimate congressional oversight requests," the former vice president said on Twitter. 

"But I am just not going to pretend that there is any legal basis for Republican subpoenas for my testimony in the impeachment trial," he continued. "That is the point I was making yesterday and I reiterate: this impeachment is about Trump’s conduct, not mine."

I want to clarify something I said yesterday. In my 40 years in public life, I have always complied with a lawful order and in my eight years as VP, my office — unlike Donald Trump and Mike Pence — cooperated with legitimate congressional oversight requests.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) December 28, 2019

But I am just not going to pretend that there is any legal basis for Republican subpoenas for my testimony in the impeachment trial. That is the point I was making yesterday and I reiterate: this impeachment is about Trump’s conduct, not mine.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) December 28, 2019

The subpoenas should go to witnesses with testimony to offer to Trump’s shaking down the Ukraine government — they should go to the White House.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) December 28, 2019

The Senate's rules state that an impeachment trial begins the day after the House sends the articles of impeachment to the upper chamber; however, Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiRepublican Ohio Senate candidate calls on GOP rep to resign over impeachment vote Clinton, Pelosi holding online Women's Day fundraiser with Chrissy Teigen, Amanda Gorman What good are the intelligence committees? MORE (D-Calif.) has declined to say when that will be, having taken issue with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) past statement that he would coordinate efforts with the White House.