Republicans take a "deep breath" on impeachment trial after Bolton report
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Despite the Bolton hullabaloo, the floodgates still aren't open on the Trump impeachment trial.
Why it matters: There won't be a witness vote for at least another few days, putting an edge on the proceedings but hardly shutting them down.
- Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) told reporters the Senate will have a vote on witnesses on Friday.
The big picture: There’s a growing sense on the Hill that the White House has a lot of cleanup to do to keep Republicans in line on witnesses, Axios' Alayna Treene reports.
- Most Senate Republicans are still waiting to hear the White House’s arguments, and have an opportunity to ask questions, before committing to anything.
- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told senators today to "take a deep breath and let’s take one step at a time.”
- Sen. Mitt Romney: "I think it's increasingly likely that other Republicans will join those of us who think we should hear from John Bolton."
Speaking of John Bolton: The former national security adviser denied that he, his publisher or his literary agent coordinated with the N.Y. Times.
- "Any assertion to the contrary is unfounded speculation."
Between the lines: Trump's team is working to portray Democrats' arguments on the Senate floor as a slanted picture of reality and not the whole truth, Alayna notes.
- That includes making a point to frequently say "the House managers didn't tell you that" or "they didn't mention this."
- A senior Democratic staffer responded by saying "they are cherry-picking the evidence. We aren’t cherry-picking the evidence.”
Inside the chamber: Sen. Bernie Sanders looked particularly frustrated that he's stuck in the Senate rather than on the trail, just a week before the Iowa caucuses.
- He was staring straight ahead during presentations, not moving his gaze even for video clips, and was fidgety and slouched low in his seat.
