Lindsey Graham Suggests Senate May Have ‘Desire and Decision’ to Call Witnesses

In what appears to be a major shift for one of President Donald Trump’s allies, Senator Lindsey Graham has indicated that the Senate may decide to call witnesses in the ongoing impeachment trial. Writing on Twitter, the South Carolina Republican said Trump should also be able to call witnesses.

“If there is a desire and decision by the Senate to call Democratic witnesses, then at a minimum the Senate should allow President Trump to call all relevant witnesses he has requested,” Graham said, apparently unprompted.

If there is a desire and decision by the Senate to call Democratic witnesses, then at a minimum the Senate should allow President @realDonaldTrump to call all relevant witnesses he has requested.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 27, 2020

Democrats have repeatedly called on the Senate to allow witnesses but the Republican leadership has demurred. Many of Trump’s defenders have said witnesses should not be called and the trial should be rushed to a conclusion. Graham’s statement is a sign that some Republicans in the Senate may be wavering on acquitting the President without hearing from witnesses.

Graham’s comments come after a report that former National Security Adviser John Bolton has claimed in his forthcoming book that Trump directly linked Ukrainian aid to investigations of former Vice President Joe Biden. Bolton has said he will testify if subpoenaed.