Sen. Romney Says Bolton Book Excerpt Make Impeachment Trial Witnesses ‘Increasingly Likely’

After the news of John Bolton’s claims in an unreleased book that the president tied Ukraine aid to investigations, Senate Republicans Like Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) think this strengthens their case for adding more witnesses to the trial. 

Romney said on Monday that it’s “increasingly likely” that more Republicans will also try seek testimony from John Bolton in the president’s impeachment trial, while Collins said that the news from Bolton will “strengthen the case” for witnesses. 

However, other Republicans continue to fight against having more witnesses. Several Republicans dismissed the news from Bolton on Monday, calling it “nothing new” or similar to the allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior made against Brett Kavanaugh during his nomination hearings for the Supreme Court in 2018. 

Romney told reporters, “It’s increasingly likely that other Republicans will join those of us who think we should hear from John Bolton. … I have spoken with others who have opined upon this.” He continued, “It’s important to be able to hear from John Bolton for us to be able to make an impartial judgment.”

“It’s fair to say John Bolton has relevant testimony to provide to those of us who are sitting in impartial justice,” he added. “I can’t begin to tell you how John Bolton’s testimony would ultimately play on a final decision. But it’s relevant and I’d like to hear it.”

Collins said in a statement, “The reports about John Bolton’s book strengthen the case for witnesses and have prompted a number of conversations among my colleagues.”

She later added to reporters, “I’ve said that since the very beginning, I think the issue’s going to be a matter of who and how many and, but I’ve always wanted to have the opportunity for witnesses. I tend to think witnesses are helpful. And this case is no exception.”