After taking the night to consider the issues at hand, senator Lisa Murkowski announces she will not support a call for further witness testimony.  It appears the primary concern for Murkowski was her ‘yea’ vote creating a 50/50 split; and she anticipates Democrats attempting to manipulate further rules forcing Chief Justice Roberts to be the deciding factor.  Murkowski stated: “I will not stand for nor support that effort.”

Posting to her Facebook Page the Alaska Senator writes:

“I worked for a fair, honest, and transparent process, modeled after the Clinton trial, to provide ample time for both sides to present their cases, ask thoughtful questions, and determine whether we need more.

The House chose to send articles of impeachment that are rushed and flawed. I carefully considered the need for additional witnesses and documents, to cure the shortcomings of its process, but ultimately decided that I will vote against considering motions to subpoena.

Given the partisan nature of this impeachment from the very beginning and throughout, I have come to the conclusion that there will be no fair trial in the Senate. I don’t believe the continuation of this process will change anything. It is sad for me to admit that, as an institution, the Congress has failed.

It has also become clear some of my colleagues intend to further politicize this process, and drag the Supreme Court into the fray, while attacking the Chief Justice. I will not stand for nor support that effort. We have already degraded our institution for partisan political benefit, and I will not enable those who wish to pull down another.

We are sadly at a low point of division in this country.” (link)

There will be 24 hours of presentation by House Impeachment Managers (over 3 days); 24 hours of presentation by Defense team (over 3 days); 16 hours of Senate questioning; 4 hours of closing arguments, equally divided; and a Senate debate/vote on further motions to include witnesses. If there are going to be witnesses, they will first be deposed prior to testimony. No witness testimony will be permitted without first being deposed.

The Senate Trial continues today on day ten at 1:00pm ET. Today next steps will be debated to include anticipated motions for additional witnesses, closing statements, and possibly a vote on removal or acquittal (depending on witness motions).

Fox News Livestream Link – CSPAN Liveestream Link –

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There were four key republican quisling senators who were possibilities on voting to continue the Senate impeachment trial and ask for witnesses:  Susan Collins, Mitt Romney, Lisa Murkowski and Lamar Alexander.

At the conclusion of the Senate questioning phase the results are:

♦ Susan Collins “Yes”, she wants witnesses (link).

♦ Mitt Romney “Yes”, he wants witnesses. (link).

♦ Lisa Murkowski “Undecided” wants to sleep on it (link).

♦ Lamar Alexander “No”, he does not want witnesses (link).

This tentatively puts the current whip vote for possible witnesses at 49 yea and 5o nea – with one undecided.   A 50/50 split should fail in the Senate (but there will be massive narrative manipulation of the rules by MSM).   We won’t know until actual votes on a motion to hear from witnesses are cast.

However, that said, Collins decision has almost guaranteed a loss for her Senate seat.  In response to this vote the MAGA base will likely not support her. Therefore it’s a gift to her opponent.  An unfortunate 2020 Senate seat loss for the GOP.

…”I believe hearing from certain witnesses would give each side the opportunity to more fully and fairly make their case, resolve any ambiguities, and provide additional clarity. Therefore, I will vote in support of the motion to allow witnesses and documents to be subpoenaed.”…   ~Susan Collins Statement

…“I worked with other senators to make sure that we have the right to ask for more documents and witnesses, but there is no need for more evidence to prove something that has already been proven and that does not meet the United States Constitution’s high bar for an impeachable offense.”… ~Lamar Alexander Statement

In an effort to improve page load-time we are breaking up the afternoon and evening sessions into two discussion threads.

There will be 24 hours of presentation by House Impeachment Managers (over 3 days); 24 hours of presentation by Defense team (over 3 days); 16 hours of Senate questioning; 4 hours of closing arguments, equally divided; and then a Senate debate/vote on further motions to include witnesses. If there are going to be witnesses, they will first be deposed prior to testimony. No witness testimony will be permitted without first being deposed.

The Senate Trial continues with the evening session on day nine at 7:25pm ET. Today will conclude the last of two days of alternating questions from Senators, totaling 16 hours.

Fox News Livestream Link – CSPAN Liveestream Link –

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While presiding over the Senate impeachment trial of U.S. President Donald Trump, apparently Chief Justice John Roberts will not allow questions that are targeted to the origination of the House impeachment plot.  WATCH:

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Senator Rand Paul’s question was:

“Are you aware that House intelligence committee staffer Shawn Misko had a close relationship with Eric Ciaramella while at the National Security Council together; and are you aware -and how do you respond to- reports that Ciaramella and Misko may have worked together to plot impeaching the President before there were formal house impeachment proceedings?“

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There will be 24 hours of presentation by House Impeachment Managers (over 3 days); 24 hours of presentation by Defense team (over 3 days); 16 hours of Senate questioning; 4 hours of closing arguments, equally divided; and then a Senate debate/vote on further motions to include witnesses. If there are going to be witnesses, they will first be deposed prior to testimony. No witness testimony will be permitted without first being deposed.

The Senate Trial continues today on day nine at 1:00pm ET. Today is the second of two days of alternating questions from Senators 8 hours each party, totaling 16 hours.

Fox News Livestream Link – CSPAN Liveestream Link –

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Missouri Senator Josh Hawley weighs in on the current Senate impeachment trial, and a possibility that some Democratic senators may vote to acquit.

In an effort to assist page load-time we are breaking up the discussion threads. This is the evening presentation following the dinner recess.

There will be 24 hours of presentation by House Impeachment Managers (over 3 days); 24 hours of presentation by Defense team (over 3 days); 16 hours of Senate questioning; 4 hours of closing arguments, equally divided; and then a Senate debate/vote on further motions to include witnesses. If there are going to be witnesses, they will first be deposed prior to testimony. No witness testimony will be permitted without first being deposed.

The Senate Trial continues tonight on day eight at 7:20pm ET. This is the evening session during the first of two days of alternating questions from Senators.

Fox News Livestream – Fox Business Livestream – PBS Livestream Link

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Lawyers representing Lt. General Michael Flynn have filed a motion to dismiss [pdf here] citing “government misconduct”.  Additionally Mr. Flynn has filed a declaration [pdf here] requesting to remove his prior guilty plea and take the case to trial.  Hours later the DOJ revised their sentencing memo, dropped their request for jail time and offered probation.

Within the motion to dismiss (full pdf embed below) Flynn’s legal team point out several issues with the prosecution of Mr. Flynn and highlight the recent findings, admissions and briefs amid the IG report, DOJ notifications to the FISA Court, and FISC orders therein.

NOTE: FBI Supervisory Special Agent Joseph Pientka III, the FBI agent with his finger in the majority of the corrupt FBI activity, has an ongoing protective court order upon his personage requiring the redaction and/or removal of his name from any government or case document.   No-one has publicly stated the reason for the protective order.

Here is the Motion for Dismissal:

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Additionally, for the first time, in a declaration to the court, we get to hear from Lt. General Michael Flynn himself about the situation and legal status.  Mr. Flynn explains the reason why he accepted a guilty plea on December 1st, 2017.

Here’s the full Flynn Declaration:

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