President Trump has been impeached for a second time, in January 2021. Now the trial goes to the senate. Now that the Democrats have control of the senate, can they compel witnesses to give testimony, and can that include Donald Trump. Up to 20 January, can Trump use Executive Privilege to avoid being called (both himself and others), and does that change after 20 January?
-
5@gnasher729 When you have another question, please ask it as a separate question.– Philipp ♦Commented Jan 14, 2021 at 12:25
-
5@gnasher729 It’s already asked & answered here btw.– PandaCommented Jan 14, 2021 at 14:22
-
1Related: Can a United States President issue a self-pardon?– CGCampbellCommented Jan 14, 2021 at 18:19
-
2In case it isn't clear, Democrats will not have control of the senate until 20 Jan.– Bryan KrauseCommented Jan 14, 2021 at 18:41
-
2@BryanKrause - Possibly as late as the 23rd. See here– BobsonCommented Jan 14, 2021 at 21:33
|
Show 6 more comments
1 Answer
The senate can certainly subpoena witnesses if they chose to do so in such a trial. They may or may not choose to.
Trump could claim to be exempt from answering particular questions on the ground of Executive Privilege (EP). The exact limits of EP are not well established, but they do not seem to extend to any and every question that might be asked. A claim of EP is probably weaker for a former President than for a sitting President. If such a claim was made in such a trial, the Chief Justice would rule, subject to a vote by the Senate. If Trump still refused to answer after such a claim was denied by the ruling, a citation for Contempt of Congress could be filed for prosecution.
Trump would also be able to raise a Fifth Amendment reason for refusing to answer some questions. This would be plausible, because inciting to insurrection is a crime, as is inciting to riot, and such answers could possibly be used in prosecuting such a crime.
In any case Trump's actions can be determined from media coverage and the evidence of many witnesses, so there seems little need to compel him to testify. Only questions of his motives would require his personal testimony.
Indeed the senate could proceed based solely on published accounts without hearing any witnesses, if it should choose to do so. The facts of who did what are not in serious dispute, only the legal and political implications of those facts, and the appropriate response.
-
The 5th Amendment could probably be raised even if Trump pardons himself, since I think (but I am not a lawyer) that he could be charged under DC statutes. And some of the facts are, if not in dispute, not known yet. See for instance claims that some Representatives conspired with the insurrectionists by giving reconaissance tours of the Capitol the day before. It's certainly conceivable that Trump might have done something of the sort, such as encouraging them in private communications.– jamesqfCommented Jan 15, 2021 at 3:58
-
@jamesqf because DC is a federal district and not a state, DC crimes are federal crimes, so the pardon would be effective for those as well.– phoogCommented Jan 15, 2021 at 5:24
-
1It is unclear that a self-pardon would be effective at all, but if it were it would cover DC crimes. Commented Jan 15, 2021 at 16:43