Democrats seek Bolton, Mulvaney in expected impeachment trial of Trump

WASHINGTON－Hoping for a weekslong Senate impeachment trial, Senate Democrats are seeking testimony about US President Donald Trump's actions toward Ukraine from four new witnesses.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York proposed the structure for a "fair and honest" trial in a detailed letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released on Sunday. It appeared to be an attempt to launch negotiations ahead of the US House of Representatives' vote this week that is all but certain to result in the president being impeached.

Schumer urged formal legal demands for testimony from White House acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, former US national security adviser John Bolton, Mulvaney aide Robert Blair and budget official Michael Duffey.

Mulvaney has acknowledged that military aid to Ukraine was being held up by the White House, while Bolton, who left the security post in September, had labeled the alternative foreign policy being run by Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani and others as a "drug deal" he wanted no part of, according to testimony in House impeachment hearings.

Trump faces two charges－abuse of power and obstruction of Congress－related to his efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden while withholding crucial military aid to the ally.

The president faces likely impeachment in the House of Representatives, where Democrats are the majority of members, but he is expected to be acquitted in a trial in the Senate, where Republicans have the majority. McConnell has signaled his preference for a speedy trial.

"This trial must be one that is fair, that considers all of the relevant facts, and that exercises the Senate's 'sole Power of Impeachment' under the Constitution with integrity and dignity," Schumer wrote in his letter to McConnell.

"The trial must be one that not only hears all of the evidence and adjudicates the case fairly; it must also pass the fairness test with the American people."

Trump has expressed interest in a robust trial that would not only clear him of the charges in the Senate but also vindicate him, but his desire for a lengthy proceeding is something Senate Republicans are hoping to avoid.

A spokesman for McConnell said on Sunday the two Senate leaders are expected to meet.

"Leader McConnell has made it clear he plans to meet with Leader Schumer to discuss the contours of a trial soon," McConnell spokesman Doug Andres said. "That timeline has not changed."

Schumer and McConnell are expected to discuss the contours of a Senate trial, much as the Democrats and Republicans did during Bill Clinton's impeachment two decades ago.

In the letter, Schumer proposes a detailed structure and timeline for a trial to begin on Jan 7, with the swearing in of Chief Justice John Roberts to oversee the proceedings. The trial would then stretch for several weeks as Democrats subpoena witnesses and testimony, specifically around Trump's decision to withhold military aid from Ukraine. A day of what Schumer calls "pretrial housekeeping measures" would take place on Jan 6.

McConnell has indicated in recent days his preference for a swift trial without calling witnesses in what Republicans fear could become a spectacle. At the same time, the GOP leader has said he's taking his "cues" from the White House and will conduct the proceedings as Trump wants them.