The House Democrats charged with making the case that former President Donald Trump incited the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol are asking him to testify before or during the Senate’s impeachment trial.
In a letter on Thursday, lead impeachment manager Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) wrote, “As you are aware, the United States House of Representatives has approved an article of impeachment against you for incitement of insurrection.”
“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,” he continued.
“In light of your disputing these factual allegations, I write to invite you to provide your testimony under oath, either before or during the Senate impeachment trial, concerning your conduct on January 6, 2021. We would propose that you provide your testimony (of course including cross-examination) as early as Monday, February 8, 2021, and not later than Thursday, February 11, 2021.”
Raskin went on to note that former Presidents Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton provided testimony while they were in office, and “the Supreme Court held just last year that you were not immune from legal process while serving as President — so there is no doubt that you can testify in these proceedings.”
Read the letter below:
NEWS: Democrats request Trump’s testimony at impeachment trial pic.twitter.com/IxtDOwP8xz
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) February 4, 2021
He also argued that while there are concerns that having a sitting president provide testimony might distract from their duties, he said, “That concern is obviously inapplicable here.”
“If you decline this invitation, we reserve any and all rights, including the right to establish at trial that your refusal to testify supports a strong adverse inference regarding your actions (and inaction) on January 6, 2021,” he added.
The Senate is scheduled to hold a trial to determine whether or not to convict Trump on the charge of “incitement of insurrection.”
However, it is seen as unlikely that enough Republicans will defect to provide the 67-vote threshold to convict Trump.