By sending articles of impeachment to the Senate without having countered the president’s interference with House proceedings, Democratic leaders lost an opportunity. But there is a second shot at that confrontation, with the added benefit that any subpoenas the Senate issues will have bipartisan support. Second, it is critical to push back on the president’s dangerous expansion of executive privilege, regardless of whether the process results in his removal. The enforcement of subpoenas in an impeachment trial is potentially complex. Alternatively, the witnesses themselves could turn to a federal court to defend against a Senate order to testify.

Source: New York Times January 27, 2020 09:56 UTC