Despite a little note-passing and snoozing, senators largely followed the special rules governing impeachment proceedings during the marathon first day of Donald Trump’s trial. But by the second day, treats from the “candy desk” weren’t enough to cut it, and lawmakers began dropping the decorum. The “world’s greatest deliberative body” was apparently restless from hours of sitting and listening to evidence.
By Wednesday, some Republicans were leaving the chamber in the middle of presentations by the House impeachment managers. Where senators had mostly stuck to the “no talking” rule a day earlier, GOP lawmakers reportedly “snickered” as Adam Schiff made the case against Trump. And while only one appeared to have dozed off on day one, a visible weariness set in among many in the upper chamber on day two, especially as the proceedings once again stretched through the evening. “Good night,” Democratic Senator Dianne Feinsteintold reporters as she left the trial early, apparently feeling under the weather.
Some Republicans grumbled about proceedings not being exciting enough. “The House managers did a lot of repeating the same material,” Republican Senator Mike Rounds told reporters. “We were basically hearing the same thing over again.” “I didn’t hear anything new,” fellow Republican John Barrasso added. Of course, if Republicans were truly sick of hearing the same old thing—you know, about the president strong-arming a foreign leader and running roughshod over the Constitution—they could allow for new witnesses and subpoena documents. John Bolton surely has something interesting to say! And yet, GOP lawmakers on Tuesday continuously voted down motions by Democrats to bring in new evidence.
Despite those missing puzzle pieces, Schiff and his fellow impeachment managers drew from the available public record in presenting a meticulous and compelling case for Trump’s conviction. That some in the GOP weren’t attentive—as was the case when freshman Congressman Jason Crow had his turn at the podium—suggests there’s nothing Democrats can do to sway them. “I haven’t heard any evidence in there that the president’s done anything wrong,” said Republican Josh Hawley, who had previously pushed for the case to be dismissed entirely.
The fidgeting wasn't strictly partisan, with Politico reporting that about a half-dozen Democrats were in and out of the chamber or out of their seats. But even in the cloak room, where lawmakers could access their phones and grab a cup of coffee, the bitter political divides of the day remained. “It’s miserable coffee,” Republican Bill Cassidy told reporters. “I mean, you would wish it on a Democrat—no one else. Just joking.”
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