Norm Ornstein ... on the GOP/Trump's lawyers arguments yesterday in front of the Senate

[Pepsidog]

21. I suspect the impeachment rules prohibit objections. I haven't watched the trial because I stomach

the lies. If objections were permitted I suspect the Republicans would have disrupted the Dems presentation like they tried to do in the House impeachment hearings. However, while I’m sure Roberts doesn’t want to put his thumb on scale, the Constitution provides that the Chief Justice of SCOTUS “preside” over the trial. In my view that gives him broad authority to do what he wants. I don’t practice in Federal court other than bankruptcy proceedings, but Federal judges can do pretty much whatever they want. Roberts sitting silent while Republicans spew lie after lie is disturbing. You are correct, Republican arguments over process are not disputes over the facts for a jury to determine. They are just lies that subvert the rule of law, our democracy and Roberts not correcting the record or calling out the Republicans is unforgivable. He is doing as much damage to our country as the Republicans. Roberts is as complicit as the Republicans at this point. Roberts could do so much to restore confidence in our legal system but chooses not to. If he called out the lies being told about the process the Republicans could do nothing, zero about it. Like Trump, Roberts is untouchable. Dems aren’t going to agree to impeachment proceedings against him for calling out Republican lies so why he sits silent is a testament of what a coward he is.