Graham Won't Waste Time Pretending to Be a 'Fair Juror'

Senator wants a quick trial and acquittal of Trump
By Bob Cronin,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 15, 2019 8:09 AM CST
Graham Won't Waste Time Pretending to Be a 'Fair Juror'
President Trump listens to Sen. Lindsey Graham during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House last month.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Lindsey Graham is ready to get the Senate's impeachment trial over with and vote. President Trump can call witnesses and present all the evidence he wants, but "I don't think that's good for the country," the South Carolina senator said Sunday on Face the Nation. Anyway, Graham figures it's not necessary, CBS reports. "I'd tell the president, if somebody is ready to acquit you, I'd sort of get out of the way," he said. The Republican told an audience in Qatar on Saturday that he won't need convincing to vote to acquit Trump, per the Guardian, saying he was "trying to give a pretty clear signal I have made up my mind. I’m not trying to pretend to be a fair juror here."

Mitch McConnell has said he'll run the trial however Trump wants it run, as Republicans try to avoid a battle with the White House, per the Hill. "There will be no difference between the president's position and our position as to how to handle this," the majority leader said. Whatever the process, McConnell said there's "zero chance" Trump will be convicted. "The Majority Leader proudly announcing he is planning to rig the impeachment trial for Trump," Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy tweeted. (A House vote on two articles of impeachment is the next step.)

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