Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer praised House impeachment manager Adam Schiff for a strong delivery as he wrapped up the first day of opening arguments in President Trump’s impeachment trial.
“The managers did just an incredible, incredible job. And they were all good. But particularly Adam Schiff. His closing speech, which I hope many of your viewers saw, is one of the tour de forces that I have seen in my decades here,” Schumer said Wednesday night on MSNBC. “I’d say it’s one of the 10 best speeches I’ve heard.”
During his remarks, Schiff hammered home points Democrats are highlighting as they fight to sway centrist Senate Republicans to join Democrats in voting to remove Trump from office. House Democrats passed two articles of impeachment last year, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, after an intelligence community whistleblower’s report sparked investigations into Trump’s relations with Ukraine.
“Some courageous people came forward. Courageous people that risked their entire careers,” Schiff said as he closed his remarks Wednesday. “They risked everything, their careers. And yes, I know what you’re asked to decide may risk yours too. But if they could show the courage, so could we.”
Senate Democrats have been arguing with the Republican majority to allow additional witnesses and documents relating to the Ukraine scandal to be submitted as evidence for senators to consider before voting on whether to convict and remove Trump from office.
Schumer said while on the Senate floor, he has been keeping an eye on other Republicans who have expressed discomfort with Trump.
“Here for the first time, they saw the whole thing,” Schumer said. “And when Schiff did his last half-hour, his last 45 minutes, they were all intently looking at him. I look around, and most of the time, they sort of don’t want to hear the argument because of the pressure they’re under to go along with Trump.”
He said even some Republicans who will vote to protect Trump from removal “know in their hearts that he’s wrong and that Donald Trump did all the things that were laid out tonight.”
Trump has attacked Schumer, Schiff, and other Democrats leading the impeachment case as “unhinged” and “vindictive.” He has dismissed the Ukraine scandal as a “hoax” inspired by “partisan hatred.”
Schiff also received praise for his presentation from Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, who told him afterward, “Good job.”
