Inhofe: No need for Bolton to testify
Lankford says Bolton should share information
U.S. Sen. Jim In ho fe said Monday that he still opposes calling witnesses in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, despite reports that a forthcoming book by former national security adviser John Bolton would bolster the case against the president.
The Oklahoma Republican said Bolton “has always been a friend of mine, but he was fired by the president — that can have an effect on a person.”
Sen. James Lankford, also a Republican, said on Twitter that the White House lawyers defending Trump had
answered on Saturday and Monday many of t he questions raised by the House impeachment managers. That would continue this week, he said.
"After that is a moment to determine if there is a need for more witnesses or evidence. John Bolton is no shrinking violet, if he has insight or information he should share it now ," Lank ford said on Twitter.
It was not clear from that statement whether he would vote to have Bolton testify. He was expected to address that on Monday night after the Senate adjourned.
Inhofe and Lankford, like most Republican senators, have said that witnesses would unnecessarily prolong Trump's trial on impeachment articles alleging abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
In ho fe has also said that there is no direct evidence that Trump withheld military aid to Ukraine last year to force that country to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, who may be Trump's election rival next year.
On Sunday, the New York Times reported that a manuscript of a book written by Bolton says Trump told him that he was withholding the aid until Ukraine conducted the investigation.
Democratic lawmakers say the Times story confirms the need for the Senate to call Bolton as a witness. Bolton did not testify when the House was investigating Trump.
Inhofe said Monday, “I still don't believe we need to hear f rom any additional witnesses. The House managers have stated several times that they have a clear case against the president, yet they want us to do their work for them. Calling additional witnesses at this point is just a Democrat effort to drag this thing out until November.”
The Senate, controlled by Republicans, is expected to vote late this week on whether to call witnesses.