CNN’s Tapper Confronts House Impeachment Manager Plaskett on Trump Trial: ‘Why Did You Back Down’ on Witnesses?

CNN’s Jake Tapper grilled Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (VI) over the decision by her fellow Democrats to abandon their push for witnesses at Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial before his acquittal.

Plaskett was one of the House impeachment managers during the trial, and she joined Tapper on State of the Union after the CNN anchor noted that Senate Democrats dropped their plan to call witnesses in connection to the recent bombshell from Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA). As Plaskett defended the merits of the case against Trump despite failing to convict, Tapper asked her “why did you back down” instead of getting Beutler to testify on Trump’s call with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

“I think we didn’t back down,” Plaskett answered. “I think what we did was we got what we wanted, which was her statement, which was what she said, and had it put into the record, and being able to say it on the record out loud so others would hear.”

Plaskett went on by acknowledging the “angst” that Senate Democrats didn’t follow through, but she argued, “We didn’t need more witnesses. We needed more senators with spines.”

“Why do you think you didn’t need more witnesses?” Tapper asked again. He further remarked that “unanswered questions” still remain from the trial, plus he also asked “were you being pressured by Senate Democrats because they wanted get on with confirmations and the Covid relief bill?”

The interview continued as Plaskett insisted there was already “sufficient evidence” to prove Trump’s incitement of insurrection, though Tapper probed further on whether the case would have been “more compelling” with witnesses. Tapper also asked about the possibility that Democrats might’ve lost votes from the 7 Republicans in favor of conviction if they dragged out the trial.

Watch above, via CNN.

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