With increasing prospects of a 50-50 tie on the Friday vote to subpoena witnesses in President Trump’s impeachment trial, Democrats are considering how they might be able to nudge Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. to weigh in on the issue and break the deadlock.
There are risks for Democrats, too. If Roberts ruled against calling witnesses, it would be hard for Democrats to dismiss the Senate trial as a sham over its failure to issue subpoenas, since Roberts — at their behest — would have blessed that decision. Still Democrats are considering how they may try again, such as seeking a vote on a motion that would specifically enable the chief justice to break the tie.“Absolutely,” said Sen. Chris Coons when asked if Democrats should ask the chief to break a tie. “It would seem to me that if we’re literally sort of hanging on a precipice, we would.”
Democrats have little to lose by trying to involve the chief justice. Though Sens. Susan Collins and Mitt Romney have both said they are likely to support hearing from witnesses, it’s unclear whether there is even one more vote, much less two. Sen. Lisa Murkowski , a third potential vote for witnesses, hasn’t tipped her hand.There is precedent for the chief justice to break a tie during a presidential impeachment.
“I don’t think he can vote. I know he can’t vote,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham , chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
Than you'll know half of SenateGOP don't give a shit about the rule of law and that no one is above it. Because they clearly think they are. ImpeachmentTrials WitnessesAndDocuments RuleOfLaw CallTheWitnesses CountryOverParty ImpeachmentTrialSham
The fix is in.
Is it possible that we could have a hung jury or does that only happen in real trials with witnesses and documents?
75% of Americans want witnesses.
don’t count on it
What happens when the L.A Times is verified as fake news?
He should be the one to decide as hes at the centre of it all and already making decisions that shape the trial.
They won’t.
Tied? What a fucking JOKE.
Roberts will either look like a hero or a zero