Democrats step up pressure over witnesses after Bolton bombshell

By Jordain Carney - 01/26/20 07:37 PM EST
 
Democrats are stepping up pressure on Republicans to support calling witnesses as part of President TrumpDonald John TrumpCDC updates website to remove dosage guidance on drug touted by Trump Trump says he'd like economy to reopen 'with a big bang' but acknowledges it may be limited Graham backs Trump, vows no money for WHO in next funding bill MORE's impeachment trial after a bombshell New York Times report Sunday evening. 
 
The Times, citing sources familiar with former national security adviser John BoltonJohn BoltonChina sees chance to expand global influence amid pandemic Trump ignores science at our peril Bolton defends decision to shutter NSC pandemic office MORE's unpublished memoir, reported that Bolton claims President Trump sought to tie $391 million in aid to Ukraine to his requests for the country's leaders to investigate former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenTrump shakes up WH communications team The Hill's Campaign Report: Wisconsin votes despite coronavirus pandemic The Intercept's Ryan Grim says Cuomo is winning over critics MORE and his son Hunter Biden. The Hill has not seen or verified the manuscript.
 
Democrats, including House impeachment managers, immediately seized on the report, arguing it underscores the need for Bolton and other administration officials to testify.
 
 
 
"Amb. Bolton reportedly heard directly from Trump that aid for Ukraine was tied to political investigations. The refusal of the Senate to call for him, other relevant witnesses, and documents is now even more indefensible," Pelosi tweeted. 
 
The Seven House impeachment managers, in a joint statement, called the Times piece an "explosive revelation" that underscores that Bolton has to be called to testify.
 
"Senators should insist that Mr. Bolton be called as a witness, and provide his notes and other relevant documents. The Senate trial must seek the full truth and Mr. Bolton has vital information to provide," the House managers said.
 
"There is no defensible reason to wait until his book is published, when the information he has to offer is critical to the most important decision Senators must now make — whether to convict the President of impeachable offenses," they continued.
 
The Times report comes as a curveball in the middle of Trump's impeachment trial, which could wrap as soon as this week. 
 
Trump's legal team began presenting its defense on Saturday, including arguing that the president's decision to hold up Ukraine aid was tied to concerns about corruption or a belief that Europe wasn't doing enough to support Ukraine. 
 
The push for Bolton's testimony comes as the Senate could vote as soon as midweek on whether to allow new witnesses or documents. In addition to Bolton, Democrats want to hear from acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, Mulvaney's adviser Robert Blair and Michael Duffey, an Office of Management and Budget staffer. 
 
 
"Bolton is screaming 'call me as a witness.' Willful blindness to the truth is a gross violation of their constitutional duty, especially when a big part of Trump’s defense is that he didn’t withhold Ukraine aid for personal political favors," he said.
 
Democrats need four Republicans to side with them to call witnesses, an uphill battle given the party's unity so far on impeachment. 
 
 
 
"After I hear both sides, and after we have a chance to answer our questions, I think it shouldn't be difficult to decide if we need additional documents or additional witnesses," he said on Saturday. "But I don't think it's appropriate to decide that before then." 
Tags Chris Van Hollen Mitch McConnell Lamar Alexander Charles Schumer Lisa Murkowski Mick Mulvaney Susan Collins Amy Klobuchar Donald Trump Nancy Pelosi John Bolton Mitt Romney Joe Biden