The third presidential impeachment trial in the history of the republic begins on Tuesday with a dilemma for Republicans: How do they keep enough evidence out of the trial without it looking like a coverup, so they are not embarrassed to vote for acquittal?
Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is desperate to keep out evidence and witnesses, most likely because, in his heart of hearts, he knows the team of lawyers President Trump hired is incapable of putting on a serious case (another instance in which Trump foolishly considers Fox News appearances to be qualification for jobs that require actual expertise). McConnell surely understands the evidence of Trump’s involvement in an extortion scheme is chilling and overwhelming. McConnell further understands that he is in a race against the clock to end the trial before even more incriminating material comes out. (Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s delay in sending over the articles makes this even harder for McConnell.) But wait: If he rushes through this and incriminating information does come out, won’t his members look like they have committed a coverup? And if Republicans are to argue there is not direct witness testimony and simultaneously exclude it, won’t voters think this is bizarre — indeed, corrupt? You see the dilemma for Republicans.
