Chief Justice John Roberts blocked a question from Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) from being asked at the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump on Wednesday, according to reports. The question and answer session involves written questions submitted to Roberts, who is presiding over the trial, who then reads the question aloud. The questions posed to the Democrat House Managers and President Trump’s legal team alternate between Republicans and Democrat senators. Paul could be heard arguing on the Senate floor to have his question asked.
Screen image from January 22.
Paul’s reported question had to do with the interactions of named persons with Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and members of his staff.
“Per source: Rand Paul is not being allowed to ask his question about the origins of the House impeachment. Unclear what the exact question is and what the issue is with it”
Per source: Rand Paul is not being allowed to ask his question about the origins of the House impeachment. Unclear what the exact question is and what the issue is with it— Burgess Everett (@burgessev) January 29, 2020
“Sen. Rand Paul has been informed he won’t be allowed to ask his trial question related to the origins of the investigation, per source. Unclear exactly why at this point”
Sen. Rand Paul has been informed he won’t be allowed to ask his trial question related to the origins of the investigation, per source.— Phil Mattingly (@Phil_Mattingly) January 29, 2020
Unclear exactly why at this point
“A senior GOP senate aide tells me that Justice Roberts is screening questions and that’s why Rand Paul’s question — which contained names of people and questions about their interactions with Schiff and his staff — was disallowed. Odd bc Lee’s question was basically same.”
A senior GOP senate aide tells me that Justice Roberts is screening questions and that's why Rand Paul's question -- which contained names of people and questions about their interactions with Schiff and his staff -- was disallowed. Odd bc Lee's question was basically same. https://t.co/wxxNQu5q4U— Jon Ward (@jonward11) January 29, 2020
“Per senior Senate GOP staffer, Roberts is “screening the questions” and “the question contains names of people who worked with Schiff and Schiff staff to start this whole mess in the House.”
Per senior Senate GOP staffer, Roberts is "screening the questions" and "the question contains names of people who worked with Schiff and Schiff staff to start this whole mess in the House." https://t.co/orzTyfjttD— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) January 29, 2020
Roll Call reported Paul could be heard by reporters arguing on the floor of the Senate for his question to be asked:
“During a break in the trial, Sen. Rand Paul could be seen on the Senate floor seeking assurances that he will not be blocked from asking a question. The Kentucky Republican appeared less than pleased with Secretary of the Majority Laura Dove. “I don’t want to have to stand up to try and fight for recognition,” Paul said loud enough to be audible from the galleries above the chamber. “If I have to fight for recognition, I will.“
Republican Sens. Mike Lee of Utah, Josh Hawley of Missouri and Ted Cruz of Texas asked the president’s counsel if the White House whistleblower worked at the National Security Council and if the whistleblower coordinated with Schiff’s staff. Trump’s attorney Patrick Philbin couldn’t answer whether the whistleblower coordinated with Schiff’s staff but said learning more about the whistleblower would be “relevant.”
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