WAPO OP ED: As Trump's lawyers begin their defense, the biggest obstacle is Trump himself

By Dana Milbank Columnist Jan. 24, 2020 at 7:08 p.m. EST
President Trump’s lawyers, when they begin making their impeachment defense Saturday in the Senate trial, will make every effort to forestall the summoning of witnesses. But there is one witness they can’t suppress. He is big, he is orange, he is unhelpful — and he is everywhere.

“I would love to have Mike Pompeo and Mick [Mulvaney], and I would love to have Rick Perry and many other people testify,” Trump says in a video recording played by House impeachment managers on the Senate floor.

It’s a bit strained for Senate Republicans to say they need to wrap things up quickly now, after House Republicans accused Democrats of wrapping things up too quickly. They are also making a peculiar constitutional argument: Because Trump is stonewalling Congress, we should acquit him quickly.

It isn’t elegant, but it’s necessary. The more time passes, the more damage Trump does to his own case.