John Bolton willing to testify in impeachment trial
By Ryann Thomson
Former White House National Security Advisory John Bolton issued a statement stating he is willing to testify in the Senate impeachment trial if he is subpoenaed.
“I have concluded that, if the Senate issues a subpoena for my testimony, I am prepared to testify,” said Mr. Bolton.
If he were to testify, he would be the lastest former Trump advisory to do so. President Trump fired Mr. Bolton back in September after just 16 months of working in his staff. He wrote on his website on Monday, January 6, “During the present impeachment controversy, I have tried to meet my obligations both as a citizen and as former National Security Advisor… Since my testimony is once again at issue, I have had to resolve the serious competing issues as best I could”.
His first hand knowledge of the events surrounding the impeachment makes him a key witness. His aides also testified that John Bolton was concerned by the actions taken by the President relating to Ukraine. This announcement also put pressure on moderate Republicans to join Democrats in favor of calling witnesses in the Senate trial.
On Wednesday, January 15, the House voted to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate; the measure passed 228-193. Speaker Nancy Pelosi withheld the articles for weeks in hopes of gaining support for witnesses to be called during the trial. However, the Senate has continuously resisted Democratic’s argument for witnesses, and due to the Senate being Republican held, it is unlikely the trial will remove him from office. Now that the articles have reached the Senate, the trial is set to begin January 20th.
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