House impeachment managers had asked the Senate this morning to call witnesses in former President Trump's second impeachment trial. Instead, Senate and trial lawyers instead agreed hours later to insert the statement into the trial record, moving the trial toward a final vote later Saturday. He made clear that Republicans will not accept Democrats being able to call witnesses without Republicans getting the same opportunity. And I think the House managers were feeling heat on their left flank and so they decided they surprised Schumer and the Democrats by saying they wanted witnesses. And they continue to believe the Senate can both conduct an impeachment trial and consider legislation at the same time.

Source: The Nation February 13, 2021 19:07 UTC