Biden clarifies previous statements about not testifying in Senate impeachment trial

Democratic presidential candidate Joe BidenJoe BidenOVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Murkowski, Mattis criticism ratchets up pressure on GOP over Trump| Esper orders hundreds of active-duty troops outside DC sent home day after reversal | Iran releases US Navy veteran Michael White Davis: 72 hours cementing the real choice for November OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump signs order removing environmental reviews for major projects | New Trump air rule will limit future pollution regulations, critics say | DNC climate group calls for larger federal investment on climate than Biden plan MORE on Saturday clarified a prior statement that he would not comply with a Senate subpoena in President TrumpDonald John TrumpFederal plan to contain Washington protests employs 7,600 personnel: report GOP Rep calls on primary opponent to condemn campaign surrogate's racist video Tennessee court rules all registered voters can obtain mail-in ballots due to COVID-19 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 PencePence threatens to deploy military if Pennsylvania governor doesn't quell looting Pence on Floyd: 'No tolerance for racism' in US Pence chief of staff owns stock affected by boss's coronavirus work: report 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 PelosiPelosi: 'Scary' to see uniformed troops on steps of Lincoln Memorial Pelosi: Democrats to unveil sweeping criminal justice proposal Monday Pelosi demands Trump clarify deployment of unidentified law enforcement in DC 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.