After intense speculation over what could happen if the House impeaches President Trump, Mitch McConnell conceded this week that the Senate would have no choice but to hold a trial. Appearing on CNBC, the majority leader announced, “The Senate would have to take up an impeachment resolution if it came over from the House.”

On the question of how the Senate would handle that resolution, however, McConnell remained characteristically circumspect, hinting that an impeachment trial could be cut short. According to reports, a Senate leadership aide similarly asserted that Republicans could move to dismiss the trial shortly after it begins.