Before the impeachment trial began, Maine Democrats called on Senator Collins to fight for a fair trial by demanding the inclusion of witnesses and evidence, lifting the White House gag order, and refusing to vote to acquit the president without a fair process. Instead Senator Collins voted with Mitch McConnell 10 times against guaranteeing documents and witness testimony at any point in the trial, threw cold water on including vital evidence, and refused to commit to voting in favor of witnesses until the last possible second, when it was already clear that the vote had no chance of succeeding.
Senator Collins failed to live up to the standard she set 20 years when she insisted on more witnesses and evidence in order to get to the truth. Now she faces a final vote on whether or not to convict the president without having heard the testimony of first hand witnesses--including John Bolton and Mick Mulvaney. This comes despite Collins saying earlier this week that it’s “important” for the Senate to “explore with Bolton the allegations that he’s making.”
Maine Democrats have called on Senator Collins to refuse to vote for acquittal without a fair process that includes witnesses and evidence. Now that it is clear that this trial will include no testimony from first hand witnesses, Senator Collins cannot vote to acquit the president without betraying Mainers who have demanded a fair trial.
“Senator Collins enabled a cover-up,” said Maine Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Marra. “Once again, she has refused to stand up to her party until it was clear that her vote would make no difference. If she votes to acquit the president after this sham process, any credibility she had left as an independent voice for Maine will be gone.”
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