WASHINGTON, D.C. — “Absolutely I will,” U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said of his plans to vote for witness additions to the U.S. Senate Impeachment Trial of President Donald Trump.
Senator Manchin was a guest on Wednesday’s MetroNews “Talkline.”
The appearance was before the start of the next phase of the trial with 16 hours over two days set aside for questions for both the U.S. House impeachment managers and defense attorneys.
.@Sen_JoeManchin talks with @HoppyKercheval about if he will vote in favor of calling witnesses to President Trump’s impeachment trial. WATCH: https://t.co/wkudfIRZCB pic.twitter.com/k1MHWmAb4U
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) January 29, 2020
“As Senators, our votes on the Articles of Impeachment will be among the most consequential votes we ever make,” Sen. Manchin posted on Twitter.
“That’s why it’s so important that we see relevant documents and hear from witnesses from both sides who have relevant first-hand information.”
A vote on witnesses could happen in the U.S. Senate as early as Friday.
“It’s not for me to pick and choose who the witnesses are,” said Manchin.
“The only reason we bring up (former National Security Advisor John) Bolton and (White House Chief of Staff Mick) Mulvaney, the two prominent people, is that they directly — directly — have indication and basically responsibility and they talk to the President on a daily basis.”
Manchin was one of three U.S. Senate Democrats identified in a Politico article as possible votes for the acquittal of President Trump.
On “Talkline,” Manchin said the standard for removing a president from office was high.
“That should be the highest bar in the world,” he told Hoppy Kercheval.
As of Wednesday, he said he had “no idea” how he was going to vote on the charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress against President Trump.