Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer defended his claim that Republican members would support the witnesses Democrats want to subpoena to a Senate impeachment trial of President Trump.
“I have seen a whole lot of Republicans either say they’re taking this seriously or not answering the exact question as to whether these witnesses should testify a whole lot,” Schumer told reporters when asked about the proposal for witnesses that Democrats want, which he sent to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
“I didn’t say we have the votes. I said I expect we would get the votes. Given how fair the request we are making, and now, we’ve been buttressed by the fact that even 64% of Republicans out in the country agree with us,” Schumer added.
Despite McConnell’s rejection of the proposal, Schumer previously claimed there was enough support from both sides of the aisle to call Democratic witnesses during an impeachment trial.
“I expect to have the support from Democrats and Republicans because the argument is so strong, and many Republicans have voiced to me and many of my colleagues privately that they think what the president did is wrong,” he said. “They’re just not sure enough facts have been presented to make the unimpeachable case of high crimes and misdemeanors.”
