Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., Saturday dismissed the defense of President Donald Trump by his legal team, arguing it only made the case against him “stronger.”
In remarks following a two-hour defense team argument against the two House-passed articles of impeachment, Schumer noted one of the team’s rationales was House witnesses didn’t have firsthand knowledge of talks about a decision to hold up security aid to Ukraine.
"The president's counsel did something that they did not intend: They made a really compelling case for why the Senate should call witnesses and documents," Schumer said.
"Today, we thank the president's counsel for one thing. They made our case even stronger."
The Senate is expected to hold a vote next week on whether additional witnesses or documents will be allowed in the Senate trial. Democrats will need four Republicans to vote with them on the issue.
"Do I think it's easy to get four Republicans? Absolutely not. Do I think we have a chance ... and after today, maybe even a little more so?" Schumer asked, The Hill reported. "Yes, I do."
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, is the only GOP senator who’s said he won’t opposed calling former national security adviser John Bolton and potentially others. GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine have indicated they’re open to it as well, The Hill reported.
At the opening defense, Trump's lawyers argued the president withheld the military aid because of concerns about burden sharing and corruption and that he didn't tie the assistance to the investigations.