Romney dismisses Democrats’ concerns over trial rules: ‘Not an issue of significance’

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), a potential key swing vote, dismissed Democratic concerns over a compressed timeline for President Trump’s impeachment trial, underscoring the uphill battle Democrats may face if they are going to change the rules.

“I think our Democratic friends have forgotten the fact that if you call everything outrageous then nothing is outrageous. Whether it’s two days or four days, each side gets as much time as they did in the Clinton trial,” Romney said.

Romney added that the press would be covering the trial “whether it’s at 2 a.m. or 2 p.m.,” seeming to dismiss Democrats’ concerns about the trail being held late at night or early in the morning. He added that the concerns about the swifter timeframe were “just not an issue of significance” for him.

“If people want to see all of the trial, they’re going to be able to see all of the trial,” Romney added. 

The GOP rules resolution, unveiled Monday night, gives both House managers and Trump’s legal team 24 hours each to make their opening arguments. Unlike the 1999 trial, both sides would have to use that time within two days.

The resolution also doesn’t guarantee additional witnesses or documents, but instead sets up a vote after opening arguments and questions from senators that would determine whether or not they are needed.

Democrats are expected to force votes on Tuesday to call witnesses, compel documents and try to change the rules resolution. They would need four GOP senators to side with them and are expected to fall short.

Romney reiterated on Tuesday that he would vote to call former national security adviser John Bolton but said, “we don’t need … that vote up front.” 

“I will be in favor of witnesses I presume after hearing the opening arguments. I would like to hear from John Bolton,” he said.