Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) says in a new interview that President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE might target Republican senators who buck party leadership and vote for additional witnesses in the Senate impeachment trial for primary challenges.
In an interview with ABC News, Christie said he could “definitely” see the president at least encouraging primary challengers if not seeking them out himself.
“You could very well see the president encouraging or creating primaries against senators that are up this year if they went and voted the other way,” Christie said Thursday.
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“I could definitely see him at least attempting to do that,” he continued.
Chris Christie: “You could very well see the president encouraging or creating primaries against senators that are up this year” if they vote against him on question of witnesses. https://t.co/T1f9qedcWT pic.twitter.com/MyPSgsNr5E
— ABC News (@ABC) January 30, 2020
Trump has remained vocally opposed to the prospect of former national security adviser John BoltonJohn Bolton Lawyer says Bolton moving forward with book despite warning from White House White House tells Bolton his manuscript contains classified information The Hill’s Morning Report – Capitol Hill weighs action on racial justice as protests carry on MORE or other key witnesses testifying in the ongoing impeachment trial.
Some moderate Republican senators such as Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyMilley discussed resigning from post after Trump photo-op: report Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names Attorney says 75-year-old man shoved by Buffalo police suffered brain injury MORE (Utah) have signaled that they are open to calling new witnesses to testify.
Bolton in particular is seen by Democrats as a top witness due to recent reports of claims made in his upcoming book. According to the unpublished manuscript, Bolton claims that Trump made clear that nearly $400 million in aid to Ukraine would be released pending Ukraine’s president launching of criminal investigations into Trump’s political rivals.
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Democrats including Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiTrump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Pelosi: Georgia primary ‘disgrace’ could preview an election debacle in November MORE (D-Calif.) have argued that the president will not receive a fair trial unless additional witnesses are considered.
“You cannot be acquitted if you don’t have a trial. You don’t have a trial if you don’t have witnesses and documentation,” she tweeted Thursday afternoon. “If Republican Senators choose a cover-up, the American people and history will judge it with the harshness it deserves.”
You cannot be acquitted if you don’t have a trial. You don’t have a trial if you don’t have witnesses and documentation.
Click Here: cheap Cowboys jerseyIf Republican Senators choose a cover-up, the American people and history will judge it with the harshness it deserves.— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 30, 2020
Senate Republicans are planning on a vote to call witnesses that will take place on Friday after the Senate has heard the closing arguments from both the House managers and Trump’s defense.