Another Republican Defies McConnell, Wants Impeachment Trial Witnesses

Top Republicans in the Senate, including Sen. Mitch McConnell, have been clear in their stance to not allow any witness testimony during the impeachment trial for President Donald Trump. While most Republicans have gotten behind this decision, some are beginning to break ranks.

During an interview with Maine Public Radio, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said that she is “open to witnesses” during the trial, however she stopped short of directly contradicting McConnell and other Republicans. “I think it's premature to decide who should be called until we see the evidence that is presented,” Collins said.

Although tactful in her position on impeachment witnesses, Collins didn’t shy away from condemning McConnell and others for openly stating their intent to vote to acquit Trump. “It is inappropriate, in my judgment, for senators on either side of the aisle to prejudge the evidence before they have heard what is presented to us,” Collins said.

Collins also questioned why House Democrats chose to draft articles of impeachment despite failing to enforce subpoenas issued to members of Trump’s administration, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The senator from Maine is not the first Republican to cast doubt on how their party is handling the Trump impeachment.

In December, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) also expressed concern about McConnell and, in particular, his remarks that there would be “total coordination” between Senate Republicans and the White House. Upon hearing McConnell’s statement, Murkowski said she “was disturbed,” adding that “to me it means that we have to take that step back from being hand in glove with the defense, and so I heard what leader McConnell had said, I happened to think that that has further confused the process.”

Like Collins, Murkowski also seems to be open to the possibility of witness testimony before the Senate, but questions why House Democrats did not legally compel subpoenaed witnesses to appear for testimony.

While Republicans like McConnell and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) are clearly keen on conducting the impeachment trial as swiftly as possible, going so far as to seek to prohibit witnesses, clearly not all members of the GOP in the Senate agree. If nothing else, Murkowski and Collins are likely aware that holding a trial without witnesses will, no matter the eventual outcome, create very poor optics for Senate Republicans.