"The reports about John Bolton's book strengthen the case for witnesses and have prompted a number of conversations among my colleagues," said Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).
The rapidly unfolding developments came as the White House continued to try to ward off the idea of opening the President's trial to witnesses, which had seemed to be less and less of a possibility - until the Bolton story broke on Sunday night.
WATCH: Sen. Romney: "I think it’s increasingly likely that other Republicans will join those of us who think we should hear from John Bolton" in the impeachment trial. https://t.co/46zASNUmJQ pic.twitter.com/HvBlxd3HCG
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 27, 2020
My statement on Bolton developments. pic.twitter.com/3M59J7suts
— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) January 27, 2020
Democrats, who have been calling for testimony by Bolton, White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, and others who refused to appear before the House impeachment investigation, urged voters to swamp GOP offices with calls demanding witnesses.
“Keep. Calling.” tweeted Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI).
“This is stunning,” said Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer in a news conference at the Capitol.
“How can Senate Republicans not vote to call that witness and request his documents?” Schumer told reporters.
Many GOP Senators had said little about the Bolton news, and that continued as they arrived back at the Capitol for the resumption of the President's impeachment trial.
“To me, the facts of the case remain the same,” said Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) at a GOP news conference which was scheduled, cancelled, and then scheduled again with a smaller cast of Republicans.
“It really doesn't change anything in terms of the process,” said Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) at the same event.
GOP Sen. Roger Wicker says he’s “late for a meeting” and declines to answer questions about Bolton.
— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) January 27, 2020
“I’m late for a meeting and I’m focused on that.”
Thune on Bolton revelations: “I don’t think it changes the facts. ... I don’t personally see it as a game changer.”
— Erica Werner (@ericawerner) January 27, 2020
Sen. Blunt on John Bolton:
— Alan He (@alanhe) January 27, 2020
“I can’t imagine that anything he would have to say would change the outcome of the final vote. Might be interesting, might be an oversight question that Congress wants to take months to pursue.“
“I think Bolton is credible, he's a friend of mine.”
But there were hints of turmoil inside GOP ranks, as Sen. Kelly Loeffler R-GA blasted Romney on Twitter, accusing him of trying to 'appease the left' by considering testimony from Bolton, which Loeffler said would be used to 'slander' President Trump.
“There seems to be a giant cover up among so many leading people in the White House,” Schumer added.
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