House impeachment managers ask Trump to testify
House impeachment managers asked former US President Donald Trump on Thursday to testify during the Senate impeachment trial, a move that was immediately described as a "public relations stunt" by his lawyers. In a letter, lead impeachment manager Jamie Raskin requested Trump to provide testimony under oath, either before or during the Senate impeachment trial, about his conduct on January 6.
Trump's legal team denied incontrovertible facts about his conduct
The letter comes after Trump's legal team filed an answer to the Article of Impeachment, denying incontrovertible facts about the former president's conduct on and leading up to January 6. It asserted, "The 45th president of the United States performed admirably in his role as president, at all times doing what he thought was in the best interests of the American people."
Trump's lawyers were quick to decline the ask
Trump's lawyers Bruce L Castor and David Schoen were quick to decline the ask and wrote, "We are in receipt of your latest public relations stunt. As you know, there is no such thing as a negative inference in this unconstitutional proceeding."
You cannot prove your allegations against Trump: Castor and Schoen
"Your letter only confirms what is known to everyone, that you cannot prove your allegations against the 45th President of the United States, who is now a private citizen," the letter continued. It said that the use of the Constitution to bring a purported impeachment proceeding is much too serious to play these games.
What did Raskin's letter to Trump say?
Raskin's letter to Trump said, "Two days ago, you filed an answer in which you denied many factual allegations set forth in the article of impeachment. You have thus attempted to put critical facts at issue notwithstanding the clear and overwhelming evidence of your constitutional offense." It asked Trump to provide testimony under oath, either before or during the Senate impeachment trial.
Trump asked to provide testimony no later than February 11
The letter asked Trump to provide his testimony (including cross-examination) as early as Monday, February 8, 2021, and not later than Thursday, February 11, 2021. The testimony would be arranged at a mutually convenient place and time. In case this invitation is declined, it will be considered that Trump's refusal to testify supports a strong adverse inference regarding his actions on January 6, 2021.
Trump will not testify in an unconstitutional proceeding, says Miller
Trump's senior advisor Jason Miller said that Trump will not testify in an unconstitutional proceeding. To which Raskin replied, "Despite his lawyer's rhetoric, any official accused of inciting armed violence against the government of the US should welcome the chance to testify openly and honestly, that is if the official had a defense."
