Donald Trump attacks John Bolton as impeachment trial enters new phase
- The White House attempts to block publication of tell-all book by former national security adviser over ‘top secret’ material
- With opening arguments done, senators can now directly question prosecutors and president’s lawyers
US President Donald Trump lashed out on Wednesday at John Bolton, a potentially damaging witness at his Senate impeachment trial, amid White House efforts to block publication of an explosive book by the former national security adviser.
The fight over whether Bolton should testify intensified as Trump’s trial entered a new phase, with senators who hold the president’s fate in their hands directly questioning prosecutors and White House defence lawyers.
The 100 members of the Senate have been sitting silently for six days listening to impassioned arguments for and against Trump’s removal from office for two articles of impeachment: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
For 16 hours over two days starting on Wednesday, the senators are submitting written questions, which are being read aloud by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, presiding over just the third impeachment trial of a president in US history.
House Democrats have pressed the Senate to subpoena Bolton, who was fired by Trump in September, after reports that his coming book corroborates the abuse-of-power impeachment charge the president faces over his dealings with Ukraine. The Senate is to vote on Friday whether to allow new witnesses and evidence during the impeachment trial.
