Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats would not consider a deal with Republicans to summon Hunter Biden to testify in the Senate impeachment trial in exchange for testimony from former Trump administration officials, including John Bolton.
“I think that’s off the table,” Schumer, a New York Democrat, told reporters Wednesday during a break in the trial.
Some Senate Republicans proposed a deal on witness testimony that would include summoning either former Vice President Joe Biden or his son Hunter Biden. In exchange, the Senate would also summon Trump administration officials sought by Democrats.
Former national security adviser John Bolton tops their list.
But Democrats Wednesday rejected the idea, arguing that the Bidens are not relevant to the impeachment charges against Trump.
“That trade is not on the table,” Schumer said.
Schumer pointed out that Republicans, who control the majority with 53 votes, “have the right to bring in any witness they want.”
Democrats believe Bolton can provide information about Trump’s decision to block security aid to Ukraine. Republicans say Joe Biden, a Delaware senator for 36 years before two terms as vice president, should testify about Hunter Biden’s job on the board of a Ukrainian gas company, which he obtained while his father was serving as vice president.
The Senate will consider whether to call witnesses sometime next week after lawmakers hear impeachment managers and Trump’s defense lawyers present their arguments.
