Senate Impeachment Trial Bored Republican and Democrat Senators Alike
The Democrat House impeachment managers on Friday concluded a third day of opening arguments, with evidence suggesting that, so far, impeachment has been boring Republicans, Democrats, and journalists alike.
The Senate impeachment trial began on Wednesday, after what was already a long day on Tuesday when Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer forced a long series of amendments that lasted beyond 1:00 a.m. on the resolution setting the rules for the trial.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch (R-RI) was the only one
seen nodding off on Tuesday, but multiple senators were visibly tired on Wednesday, with both Republicans and Democrat senators caught appearing to be sleeping.
Within the first hour on Wednesday, Senate Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Mark Warner (D-VA) was seen leaning on his right arm with a hand covering his eyes, according to the Associated Press.
โHe stayed that way for around 20 minutes, then shifted to rest his chin in the same hand, eyes closed, for about five more minutes,โ the AP reported.
Also caught appearing to nod off was 2020 presidential candidate Bernie Sanders (I-VT), according to Courthouse News:
The AP reported that the Democrat House impeachment managers โrelied on the same loops of videotaped testimony.โ
Yahoo reported that other senators were seen passing notes and doing crossword puzzles.
Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) left early.