In a final summary of the House impeachment arguments, Schiff said the President had clearly stepped over the line by trying to get Ukraine to start an investigation of former Vice President Joe Biden and his son.
"President Trump has abused the power of his office, and must be removed," said lead House prosecutor Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA).
"Our founders worried about a situation just like this," Schiff added, arguing the House charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress have 'been proved.'
All over the world, those living under oppressive regimes look to us.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 25, 2020
They look to us because we have a rule of law. Because in America, no one is above that law.
To my Senate colleagues, I implore you:
Give America a fair trial.
She's worth it. pic.twitter.com/FoPdno5Qy4
.@RepJerryNadler "Even Nixon. Even Nixon understood that he must comply with subpoenas for information relating to his misconduct."
— CSPAN (@cspan) January 24, 2020
Watch U.S. Senate Impeachment Trial live on C-SPAN2 -- https://t.co/jMlsQHAmwE pic.twitter.com/qmQRP5rAYk
For Republicans, the third straight day of arguments by House prosecutors was like hundreds of fingernails on a Senate blackboard, as they all but accused Schiff of making up a story about President Trump.
“It's kind of a story of the entire three days, of this invented story, weaving through bits of facts, but all this fiction weaved in it,” said Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), as he told reporters that Schiff's final speech was 'insulting to everybody.'
"I don't anything they've said so far is impeachable," said Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), who earlier in the day told reporters that he thought the arguments of Rep. Schiff were 'horrible.'
"They shouldn't need anymore information to make a final decision," said Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), who made clear the GOP leadership position that Republicans should not vote for extra documents or witnesses, worried it will drag out the trial well into February.
With the White House legal team ready to start arguments on Saturday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) - who said he had been in touch with the President just yesterday - said there was no reason to ignore the story of Hunter Biden, the son of Vice President Joe Biden.
"The President is frustrated and I am frustrated that we live in a country where only one side gets looked at," Graham told reporters, as he accused the news media for a second straight day of carrying the water for Democrats in this impeachment fight, and hinted he would start his own investigation.
GOP Sen. Rick Scott on the impeachment managers' arguments: "I don't believe anything they've said so far is impeachable." https://t.co/loj1yQpaew pic.twitter.com/fafZByrPDQ
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 25, 2020
And they think his calls for Ukraine to investigate the Bidens were reasonable:
— Eli Stokols (@EliStokols) January 25, 2020
GRAHAM: "President Trump had no corrupt purpose. He believes to this day that someone should look at the Bidens, and so do I."
SCOTT: "I don't believe anything they've said so far is impeachable."
The end of the House prosecutors arguments set the stage for the White House to begin its defense of President Trump, which is set to begin at 10 am ET on Saturday, and last for about three hours.
Schiff tried to preempt some of the expected arguments.
"If they couldn't get Ukraine to smear the Bidens, they want to use this trial to do it instead," Schiff said about anticipated talk from the President's lawyers about investigating Hunter Biden.
If the Senate refuses to call witnesses next week, then the President's impeachment trial could conclude by the end of January, or the first days of February.
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