Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) questioned whether Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will “try to rig” the impeachment trial by teaming up with President Trump.

Van Hollen told Jon Karl on ABC’s “This Week” that Senate Democrats are pushing for a “fair trial” where they are permitted to call witnesses and obtain necessary documents. 

“Is Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader, going to try to rig this trial, working in lockstep with the president and his lawyers? Or is he going to allow a fair trial?” Van Hollen asked.

“We keep hearing President Trump say he’s going to be exonerated,” he added. “Look, if you have a rigged trial there’s no exoneration in acquittal.”

Sen. Chris Van Hollen: “Is (McConnell) going to try to rig this trial … working in lockstep with the president?”

“We keep hearing President Trump say he’s going to be exonerated. Look, if you have a rigged trial there’s no exoneration in acquittal.” https://t.co/0cKQz1R6ux pic.twitter.com/nkGRjokX3t

— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) December 29, 2019

Van Hollen said it was “too early” to tell how many Republicans will support more witnesses and documents in the trial but added that those who vote against it will be “complicit in a cover-up.”

The senator said he believes Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will send over the articles of impeachment leading to a trial. 

{mosads}Pelosi has been withholding the articles from the Senate until the leaders determine the guidelines for the trial. In the meantime, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has been pushing McConnell to allow witnesses and documents. 

The House voted to impeach Trump on two articles earlier this month, sending the matter to the Senate for trial. The GOP-majority Senate is expected to acquit the president.