Without witnesses, Senate impeachment trial looks like a trial but isn't one

After a week of ups and downs in President Trump’s impeachment trial, the Senate is now barreling toward a showdown over whether to subpoena witnesses and documents.

Under special rules approved last week, senators will soon vote on whether to permit the parties to make motions to subpoena witnesses and documents to substantiate their claims presented in opening arguments. Republicans appear cautiously optimistic they can win that vote and bypass witnesses, and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expects Democrats to lose it.