Former Watergate Prosecutor Advises Democrats to Keep Impeachment Trial Short: 'First Witness...

[DonViejo]

Former Watergate Prosecutor Advises Democrats to Keep Impeachment Trial Short: ‘First Witness I Would Call is Donald J. Trump’

By Sarah Rumpf Jan 31st, 2021, 6:06 pm

Former Special Assistant Watergate Prosecutor Nick Akerman told CNN’s Ana Cabrera that his advice for Senate Democrats is to keep former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial short and succinct, and to call Trump as the first witness.

Cabrera started the discussion by mentioning that all five of Trump’s announced defense counsel had parted ways with him, less than two weeks before the trial is scheduled to begin, “because according to a source he wanted them to argue that the election was in fact stolen,” and asking for Akerman’s reaction.

Akerman replied that the lawyers seemed to have made the right decision. “I mean, any ethical lawyer, any lawyer who follows the ethics is not going to argue something that is a totally false statement, that is that Trump won the election.” Akerman was skeptical that any new counsel the former president brought on would make any difference “because at the end of the day the person who calls the shots is Donald Trump.”

“Nick, we understand Democrats are considering a short trial, maybe lasting just a few days. What do you think of that strategy?” asked Cabrera.

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https://www.mediaite.com/tv/former-watergate-prosecutor-advises-democrats-to-keep-impeachment-trial-short-first-witness-i-would-call-is-donald-j-trump/

[SoonerPride]

1. Can they make him testify?

If so he would incriminate himself in 2 seconds

[FSogol]

5. Has anyone, ever been able to stop Trumpy from flapping his pie hole?

[C_U_L8R]

2. Subpoena if necc. He has no Presidential privilege.

[StarfishSaver]

13. He has a Fifth Amendment privilege and can't be forced to testify against himself.

[NurseJackie]

17. I'd very much enjoy hearing him invoke the Fifth Amendment...

[brooklynite]

18. Wrong...

He does have a Fifth Amendment right, but this is not a criminal case.

[StarfishSaver]

19. No - I'm right

This is not a criminal case but he still has a right not to testify under oath in this proceeding if his testimony could incriminate him in the future.

[cannabis_flower]

3. In most trials

the defendant can't be forced to testify against himself. Is that true for an impeachment trial?

[dem4decades]

4. If Nick says so I'll take his word. He's the best.

[lagomorph777]

8. Maybe he could plead the 5th. Then we could play the tape of what he says about the 5th.

The mob takes the Fifth,” Trump said at one campaign rally in September 2017. “If you're innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?”

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/384937-trump-comments-on-fifth-amendment-resurfaced-after-cohen-filing

[StarfishSaver]

12. Invocation of the Fifth Amendment privilege can't be used against someone in a criminal proceeding

[lagomorph777]

14. Ah, but this isn't a criminal proceeding.

And our pundits can comment all they want, outside the proceeding.

[StarfishSaver]

15. I misunderstood - I thought the point was to use it against him in a later criminal proceeding.

[StarfishSaver]

11. No. He can't be forced to testify.

He has a privilege against self-incrimination under the Fifth Amendment.

[lark]

6. Disagree.

Why not bring in lots of witnesses and prove collusion conspiracy for sedition with repugs as well?

[lagomorph777]

9. I agree with you lark.

This trial could slice through the GOP like a chainsaw.

[safeinOhio]

7. I can't offer any advice to

Democrats in Congress. I voted for them and trust them.

[StarfishSaver]

10. More advice for people who are getting excellent advice from the people charged with advising them

Everybody has advice, but I don't think the Dems are necessarily looking to television pundits - even former Watergate prosecutors - for their guidance.

[Poiuyt]

16. I don't know about having Trump testify, even if he's under oath

Trump will lie with impunity. I don't know if he's able to tell the difference between truth and fiction. His people have lied under oath in the past (or just said "I don't recall), I don't believe Trump will be at all honest with the Senate.

[StarfishSaver]

20. If he lies under oath, he could be prosecuted for perjury