From Far & Near U.S. Impeachment Watch-8 By Shashi Malla Republicans Wrap Up Opening Arguments Donald Trump’s defence team concluded its oral arguments in the US Senate impeachment trial on Tuesday, setting the stage for two days of questioning on Wednesday and Thursday. The closing arguments came amid a bombshell revelation that former National Security Adviser (NSA), John Bolton implicates President in his new book [to be published in March]. The president’s defence wrapped up its argument early on Tuesday, having used only around half of its allotted 24 hours over three days. Their approach was a stark contrast with that of the Democrats, who used all of their allotted time  to present a detailed case against Trump (BBC). Jay Sekulow, the president’s personal lawyer, claimed: “The bar for impeachment cannot be set this low. Danger, danger, danger. These articles must be rejected. The Constitution requires it. Justice demands it.” White House counsel Pat Cipollone concluded by calling on senators to “end the era of impeachment for good”. Significance of Bolton’s Revelations Trump was impeached on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. He is accused of withholding US Dollar $ 391 million in military aid [previously allocated by Congress], in an attempt to pressure Ukraine’s president VolodymyrZelensky to announce a corruption investigation into Trump’s potential Democratic rival, Joe Biden. Trump denies the allegations against him, and Republicans have argued that no first-hand witnesses have so far connected the president to a scheme to withhold aid for political benefit. The significance of the Bolton revelations, first reported by The New York Times, is that they would dramatically undermine that vital argument. He writes in his forthcoming book that he was instructed directly by the president to withhold the aid in order to pressure Ukraine. Trump – clearly fearful of what could come out – told reporters last week that he did not want Bolton to testify, citing ‘national security issues’. John Bolton could very well be an impeachment game-changer. Further Events The Senate trial has now moved into a two-day period of questioning by senators, during which each party will alternate questioning for up to 16 hours throughout Wednesday and Thursday. The senators will not ask questions themselves verbally, but submit them in writing to US Supreme Court Justice John Roberts, the presiding officer, who will read them out. A vote on whether or not to call witnesses in the trial [e.g. Bolton] is expected on Friday. Four Republicans would be required to vote with the Democrats to reach the necessary majority of 51 to call witnesses. Media Opinion It is very instructive to read what the U.S. media has to say about the ongoing impeachment process. This is what The Washington Post had to say:
  • “Our expectations for Republican senators are so low it’s astonishing”. That is to say, every single one of them is supposed to be exercising oversight of the executive branch, but not doing so.
  • “Trump’s lawyers suffer from Bolton-induced amnesia”. The president’s defence team acted as though Bolton’s bombshell never happened. Moreover, Republicans’ lack of outrage – even after Bolton’s smoking-gun evidence – is outrageous!
  • “If John Bolton doesn’t testify, it’s a coverup, not a trial”. Now Trump has finally met his match.
Bolton might just be Trump’s new worst enemy. Graeme Wood of The Atlantic attributes to him a Machiavellien streak and guesses that if Bolton has relevant information, he’ll roll it out strategically, anticipating Trump’s denials and calculating his moves for maximum exposure and personal gain. The New York Times wrote in an editorial: The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell “has never hesitated to undermine the country’s institutionsif he thinks doing so will help his party” .  .  .  he “and nearly all in his caucus seem to imagine that if they block their eyes and ears and let their mouths run, the turbulence of impeachment will eventually pass.” The writer can be reached at: shashipbmalla@hotmail.com