From Far & Near By Shashi Malla Question & Answer Session Completed Wednesday and Thursday, Democrats and Republicans had their chance to ask House Democratic managers [ Representatives acting as prosecutors] and White House defence lawyers anything related to the impeachment inquiry. Their questions, submitted in writing and read aloud by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts [ acting as the presiding officer], were wide-ranging: about the definition of obstruction, the history of security aid to Ukraine and the CIA whistle-blower whose complaint had led to the enquiry in the first place. Many of them were merely prompts from one party to its respective side to deliver talking points, including a response from White House lawyers that claimed a startlingly expansive view of executive power (NYT/Politics Newsletter, Jan. 31). Roberts allowed a question from Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren asking about the “loss of legitimacy of the Chief Justice, the Supreme Court and the Constitution” in conjunction with the ongoing impeachment process. However, he rejected a [revengeful and unseemly]question by Republican Senator Rand Paul, because it directly named the alleged whistleblower [whose identity has remained anonymous because of security reasons]. Crucial Vote for Witnesses & Documents The impeachment trial is possibly headed toward its conclusion this very Friday. Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, and the rest of the Republican leadership team have rallied their senators against Friday’s vote to hear witnesses and consider more evidence, effectively shutting down the trial and speeding toward a presumed acquittal. McConnell argued that opening the trial to witnesses would extend it indefinitely and introduce a degree of uncertainty that would cede control of the proceedings to Democrats eager to call several top current and former White House officials to testify (NYT). Foremost among them was John Bolton, Trump’s former National Security Adviser (NSA), who was unceremoniously fired by the president. In his forthcoming book, he gave a firsthand account of Trump’s conditioning military assistance to Ukraine on help with investigations into Democrats. However, with hefty Republican pushback, the prospects of a Bolton appearancehad seriously declined. The Evolving Scenario Democrats were hoping that four Republicans – Senators Mitt Romney, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Lamar Alexander – would enable them to reach the 51 votes necessary to call witnesses. But Democrats were dealt a major blow in the witness battle when Alexander rejected the notion: “There is no need for more evidence to prove something that has already been proven and that does not meet the United States Constitution’s high bar for an impeachable offence.” This is so wishy-washy! He went on to add in a Delphic manner: “The question then is not whether the president did it, but whether the United States Senate or the American people should decide what to do about what he did. I believe that the Constitution provides that the people should make that decision in the presidential election that begins in Iowa [ the state that begins with the primaries choosing the ultimate candidates] on Monday.” Alexander’s announcement is a clear sign that Republicans will be able to block the move for new witnesses and end Trump’s trial with his expected acquittal. A super two-thirds majority in the Senate is required to remove him from office, and Republicans hold a 53-47 majority. Crucial Role of the Chief Justice Each side is expected to present closing arguments in Friday’s session, before the Senate votes on hearing witnesses. If the vote were to end in a tie, Chief Justice John Roberts could step in to decide what happens next. There is definitely historical precedent for this during the impeachment trial of President Johnson. Vindication for Trump ? House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was asked about the near certainty of Trump’s acquittal and his final vindication. She objected strong-minded and uncompromising: “Well, he will not be acquitted. You cannot be acquitted if you don’t have a trial. And you don’t have a trial if you don’t have witnesses and documentation”. It is practically impossible to refute this pristine logic. However much Trump may beat his chest about being acquitted by the Senate, the trial was truly flawed, and history books will always note the name ‘Trump’ as the third impeached President of the United States after Johnson and Bill Clinton. The writer can be reached at: shashipbmalla@hotmail.com  Please Note: We will continue to follow the impeachment process to the very end in our online updates: www.peoplesreview.com.np