Due Process and Fairness

In case you missed it President Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives on December 18 for high crimes and misdemeanors.   Article I: Abuse of Power and Article II: Obstruction of Congress. 

Under normal circumstances the proceedings will now go to the Senate where a trial should be conducted.  The House will appoint impeachment managers who will prosecute their case with the President defending himself against the accusations with his own attorneys. 

Furthermore, as with most trials there would ordinarily be witnesses called by each side to testify and be cross-examined.  And in the end the Senate will stand in judgement as they will have taken a solemn oath of affirmation that they will perform their duties honestly and with due diligence.  The President will either be acquitted and go back to work or convicted and fired. 

Alas, by all outward appearances this event shares more in common with a circus or kangaroo court.  And the guy in charge, Senator Mitch McConnell has already stated:  "I'm not an impartial juror."   

Nevertheless, in the interest of fairness and impartiality it is clear to me that former national security director John Bolton, acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and secretaries Mike Pompeo and Rick Perry should all testify.  Maybe some other Whitehouse staffers too.  If their exculpatory testimony were to exonerate the President then the impeachment will be completely turned on its head.  The Democrats devastated and demoralized for having wasted everyone’s time, ginormous numbers of voters will switch their support to Trump in the 2020 election and the President will triumphantly emerge victorious.  Four more years!

Why Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell won’t do this is a puzzlement to me.