The Senate impeachment trial may be nearing an end, with increasing speculation on whether witnesses will be called to endorse or defend the charges against the president.
If not, Democrats will charge "coverup," and the trial will end with a likely acquittal.
If so, Republicans will also call witnesses, including former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, in an effort to distract senators from the core issues in the trial -- whether President Trump broke the law in threatening to withhold aid to Ukraine unless its president announces an investigation of the Bidens.
If witnesses are called, the trial would drag on for days or weeks, and if the Trump team takes the issue to court, delay could well be months.
The General Accounting Office (GAO) reported that it was a violation of law to withhold aid that that Congress had already approved, thus supporting the charge of extortion. The Republican defense has been that the aid was later released, so it did not matter. Legal experts, however, point out that even a threat of extortion is illegal, even if the threat is later withdrawn.
Meanwhile, the White House is setting up rallies across the country to demonstrate popular support for the president and for his GOP allies who are up for election.
An example would be a rally this week in Wildwood, NJ, where hopeful attendees camped out on the beach boardwalk overnight to be sure of getting a seat. Reminder: It's mid-January.
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