Sure, everyone sort of expected that the GOP Senate would never actually convict Trump in an impeachment trial, and that Mitch McConnell, as Republican Majority Leader in that chamber of congress would make certain it never happened.
On the other hand, it’s kind of shocking that he’d actually, publicly confess / brag that he’s in the bag for Trump.
It's worth noting that Mitch will give this oath: "‘I solemnly swear … that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Donald J. Trump, now pending, I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws: So help me God." #GOPerjury https://t.co/iyjyWlX2id
— ***Dave Hill (@Three_Star_Dave) December 13, 2019
Everything I do during this, I’m coordinating with White House Counsel. There will be no difference between the President’s position and our position as to how to handle this … in total coordination with the White House Counsel’s office and the people who represent the President ….
Can I just note how … profoundly wrong this is?
The US Constitution — you know, the thing Mitch (and other federal officials) swore an oath to uphold and defend — the Constitution dictates that the Senate serves as the place for an impeachment trial. The House indicts (with articles of impeachment), and the Senate acts as jurors (with the Chief Justice of the United States serving as judge).
Mitch McConnell, effectively the jury foreman, just proclaimed he’s coordinating with the defense counsel.
And if that oath to uphold and defend the Constitution isn’t enough, there’s an additional oath Mitch will be taking, along with every other Senator.
I solemnly swear … that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Donald J. Trump, now pending, I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws: So help me God.
I don’t see how he can possibly do that, if he’s already confessing his coordination with Donald Trump’s counsel.
McConnell’s statements are emblematic of the ultimate corruption of the Republican party, whose sole purpose has become, it seems, to protect and defend the presidency of Donald Trump, regardless of what he says or does.
Given that, it’s unlikely that the impeachment trial will result in a conviction, not because there is (or isn’t) sufficient evidence to convict, but because the GOP majority (as led by Mitch McConnell) simply are disinterested in “impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws.”
Indeed, there are loud rumors that Mitch will simply push through a vote to acquit, without any witnesses being heard (this after the GOP spend the last month or two complaining about not being able to call witnesses, even as the White House forbade any of its people to respond to subpoenas to act as witnesses).
McConnell is urgently trying to get enough senators to sweep this all under the rug without the risk of inconvenient White House witnesses being called. https://t.co/YuVcWoJtSP
— ***Dave Hill (@Three_Star_Dave) December 12, 2019
Through such tactics, they can ensure that Donald Trump won’t be convicted under the articles of impeachment. But history — assuming it is written by Americans — not be kind to their dereliction of duty, and their being forsworn of their oaths.