Wittes’s analysis of Trump’s initial legal defense briefs submitted to the Senate: Read together, Cipollone’s October letter and this new document written with Sekulow set expectations for the president’s defense: barely contained, and barely coherent, rage—a middle finger stuck at the impeachment process, rather than any kind of organized effort to convince senators or the public that the president’s conviction would be unmerited, imprudent, or unjust.
On Wednesday the House managers presented their opening arguments. Adam Schiff gave a powerful two hour speech that others are praising as one for the history books.
After three long days, the House managers closed their opening statements on Friday night. According to this New York Times reporter: “The sense in the Capitol was that the trial was heading toward its predictable conclusion, Mr. Trump’s acquittal, as early as next week.”
Schiff is widely regarded as the manager who gave the most effective speeches.
Trump’s defense team began their opening arguments on Saturday.
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Trump’s Job Approval: 43%