Update, 10:57 a.m.: Although initially cancelled, there will be a press conference after all, but most of the Senators who were supposed to be there will not participate. Sen. Graham is one of the lawmakers who will not be there. Reportedly, Sens. Lankford and Lee will also be absent.
Update: The GOP presser is back on but apparently without Graham, Lankford and Lee.
— Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) January 27, 2020
Here’s what that presser ended up looking like.
GOP Sens. Braun and Barassao holding a presser. Braun says the NYT Bolton reporting “really doesn’t change anything.” Barrasso says “the facts of the case remain the same.” pic.twitter.com/dBSwNe8EUY
— Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) January 27, 2020
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Late on Sunday, news broke about what John Bolton’s forthcoming book supposedly says about the Ukraine Affair: that the president himself allegedly told his former National Security Advisor the military aid hold was directly linked to investigations of the Bidens.
The reaction to this was predictably rapid, and the general consensus was that this is a game-changer for the impeachment trial. The thinking there is that the heat has significantly been turned up on Republican Senators to vote in favor of calling witnesses. No matter what anyone tells you, that is still very much in doubt. In the meanwhile, however, it appears that GOP Senators are struggling with the immediate fallout.
GOP senators cancel press conference this morning. Looks like they don't want to talk about the Bolton book. pic.twitter.com/bzHKZsHRPm
— Sheryl Gay Stolberg (@SherylNYT) January 27, 2020
Senators Mike Braun (R-Indiana), John Barasso (R-Wyo.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) have cancelled a scheduled Monday morning press conference, seemingly to avoid questions about John Bolton’s book. That presser was supposed to be impeachment-related. Republican Senators were reportedly “blindsided” by the Bolton manuscript revelation.
The usual suspects [i.e. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah)] are already saying that Bolton’s testimony is now “important” and “relevant.”
ROMNEY tells reporters just now that it’s “important” to hear from Bolton and said his testimony would be “relevant” at this time.
— Robert Costa (@costareports) January 27, 2020
We shall see how or if President Donald Trump’s lawyers respond to the latest development. They will have another chance on Monday afternoon in the Senate chamber to respond at length to the allegations of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress against the president.
[Image via Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images]
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