As Trial Moves to the Senate, Vulnerable Republicans Struggle to Defend Hearing Without Commitment to Witnesses and Evidence

More Front Page Scrutiny of Gardner’s Record Standing with Trump, McConnell

Collins Once Demanded Witnesses, Now Says It’s a Question of “Whether” They Should Be Heard At All

Every Republican incumbent is supporting Mitch McConnell moving forward on a trial with no commitment to hearing from key witnesses who have firsthand knowledge of the president’s conduct or admitting new evidence related to the president’s abuse of power. McConnell has vowed to take his cues from the White House and “let Trump’s lawyers dictate Trump’s impeachment trial.”

Recent polling confirms that “most voters want more impeachment witnesses” — including many Republicans and independent voters in key Senate battleground states. In Arizona, Colorado, Maine, and North Carolina, three in four independent voters say that Senators should demand key witnesses and relevant documents as a part of a trial and 63% of voters would view Senators Martha McSally, Cory Gardner, Susan Collins, and Thom Tillis unfavorably if they voted against calling witnesses and subpoenaing documents.

“Instead of working secure a fair trial, this has become yet another example of Senate Republicans putting their party and political self-interest ahead of their country,” said DSCC spokesperson Stewart Boss. 

Across the country, Senate Republicans have been facing heightened scrutiny:

Collins (ME)

• TPM: Collins Takes McConnell Line On Impeachment Trial
• HuffPost: GOP Sen. Susan Collins Sides With Mitch McConnell On Impeachment Trial
• The Hill: Collins “came out… in support of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) efforts to block Senate Democrats’ demands for additional witnesses in the eventual trial”
• CNN: “More fence-straddling from Susan Collins there”
• Washington Post (Editorial): “Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), while professing to be ‘open to witnesses,’ said it is ‘premature to decide who should be called until we see the evidence that is presented.’ The flaw in that premise is that the White House is blocking disclosure of critical evidence.”
• Greg Sargent (Washington Post): Sen. Susan Collins during 1999 impeachment: ‘I need witnesses … to get to the truth’
• Jennifer Rubin (Washington Post): Susan Collins sounds like she’s covering for Trump — “Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) continues to give Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) leeway to rig President Trump’s impeachment trial…”

Ernst (IA)

• Quad City Times Editorial: “Thumbs Down … to U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst for dodging questions on whether it’s right for a president to ask a foreign government to investigate a political rival. The obvious answer is: ‘Of course not.’”
• Cedar Rapids Gazette Editorial: “On Ukraine affair, Iowans expect more from… Ernst”
• CNN: GOP senator refuses to answer if Trump acted inappropriately — “Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) was unwilling to answer CNN correspondent Randi Kaye when asked if she thought it was appropriate for President Trump to ask a foreign power to investigate a political rival.”
• Washington Post: ‘Where is the line?’: A Joni Ernst town hall questioner sums up the GOP’s Trump dilemma
• Iowa Starting Line: Joni Ernst Refuses To Condemn Soliciting Foreign Interference

Gardner (CO)

• Denver Post: Cory Gardner, facing impeachment questions from all sides, is mum as the Senate looks ahead
• 9News: “It is TRUE Gardner isn’t straying from President Trump and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell”
• New York Times: “In the Capitol on Tuesday, Mr. Gardner was making himself scarce. When Republicans wrapped up a luncheon featuring a discussion of trial procedure, he zipped out a back door and headed for a little-used elevator, avoiding a throng of waiting reporters.”
• Colorado Sun: Gardner “has refused to answer questions about whether Trump’s interactions with Ukraine’s president — which are now the subject of impeachment proceedings — were wrong”
• Denver Post: “Silence has become the norm for Gardner on the topic of impeachment. His office previously declined to say whether witnesses should be called and whether he agrees with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s ‘total coordination’ with the White House.”
• KDVR: Watch: Gardner refuses to say whether it’s appropriate for president to ask foreign leader to investigate rival
• 9News: Sen. Gardner won’t say if it’s appropriate to ask foreign governments to investigate a rival
• Associated Press: Republicans stumbling over question at heart of impeachment — Gardner “wouldn’t answer reporters’ variations on the question 12 separate times”
• Aurora Sentinel Editorial: “Gardner failed a test of fundamental integrity”

McSally (AZ)

• Associated Press: “Despite her pledge to objectively review the facts, McSally said Republicans are ‘working closely with the White House’ on the process for impeachment, echoing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who said he’s taking his ‘cues’ from the White House”
• EJ Montini (Arizona Republic): Sen. Martha McSally comes out as a Mitch McConnell McSheep on Trump impeachment
• Arizona Republic: “When asked repeatedly if Trump acted appropriately by asking foreign powers to interfere in a U.S. election by encouraging them to investigate a rival, McSally repeatedly bypassed the question.”
• Associated Press: McSally “declined to say… whether she’s troubled by President Donald Trump’s efforts to get foreign governments to investigate his political rival.”
• AZ Family: Sen. McSally won’t say if she’d seek foreign assistance to help her politically

Tillis (NC)

• Washington Post: “Tillis declines to say whether it’s appropriate for Trump to ask foreign countries to investigate his political rivals”
• NBC News: “a simple majority of senators can vote to call individual witnesses — putting pressure on Republicans like Tillis to either side with hearing from witnesses or possibly appear to protect the president from further damaging information… The peril for vulnerable senators like Tillis is apparent”
• Charlotte Observer / Raleigh News & Observer Editorial: “Do voters want a U.S. senator who understands that it is sometimes his or her uncomfortable duty to question a president, especially one who so regularly threatens constitutional boundaries and historical norms? Or do we want a senator so consumed with currying favor from Donald Trump that he embarrasses himself and the state he represents?”

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