Senators are barred from talking in the chamber during the impeachment trial. But that's not stopping Chuck Schumer from chatting every chance he gets.
The New York Democrat is engaging in an unprecedented media blitz — even for the voluble Senate minority leader — as he pushes Democratic calls for witnesses and documents to make the case against President Donald Trump.
Before 8 a.m. Tuesday morning, the first day of the Senate impeachment trial, Schumer had gone on NPR Morning Edition, Morning Joe and CNN. He then held an 11 am press conference and gaggled twice with reporters throughout the afternoon and evening. Wednesday morning, despite a series of late-night votes, Schumer was at it again — holding another presser with members of his caucus and brief remarks in the afternoon.
It's a long running joke that the most dangerous place in Washington is between Schumer and a microphone, and it's never been more true since Schumer formally entered the impeachment fray with a letter last month to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) outlining his proposed vision for the Senate trial.
What’s less clear is what impact his push will have in the impeachment battle. Democrats argue the aggressive messaging is successfully shaping the debate — saying there's now more openness from Republicans to witnesses and highlighting last-minute revisions to McConnell's blueprint for the impeachment trial. But the approach has also had the practical effect of annoying the very Republican senators Schumer’s trying to woo to his side.
“Here’s the bottom line: we’re seeking the truth, the American people want the truth,” Schumer told reporters Wednesday. “What will determine in my judgment how people vote is their conscience and their knowledge that the American people realize we’re right.”
Democrats don't see their calls for witnesses and documents getting old.
“One thing I’ve learned in politics — there really is never an oversaturation point for a righteous message,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who added that Democratic demands are in line with public polling. “It makes sense to repeat it over and over and over again.”
Democrats will need at least four Republicans to join their calls for witnesses and documents; a few obvious targets are Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). But while Collins has said she is likely to support bringing in witnesses after she hears opening arguments from both sides, she’s also publicly complained about Schumer’s heavy-handed approach.
When asked about the effectiveness of Schumer’s media appearances, Annie Clark, a spokesperson for Collins, said the Maine Republican “has been busy working and hasn’t had time to watch much TV.”
Schumer’s media approach to the Senate impeachment trial is diametrically opposed to that of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) who hasn’t held a press conference since the start of the trial and has saved his remarks for the Senate chamber.
“Leader McConnell’s results on the floor speak for themselves,” said Doug Andres, a spokesperson for McConnell, referencing the Senate’s passage early Wednesday morning of the GOP leader’s resolution setting the contours of the impeachment trial.
Despite Schumer’s best efforts, a series of votes he forced well into the early hours of Wednesday morning to secure witnesses and documents all failed, nearly entirely on party lines. Because McConnell and Schumer were unable to reach an agreement on timing for the votes, senators were stuck in the chamber until 1 am.
The late-night votes left Senate Republicans frustrated Wednesday.
“Who couldn’t have been a little annoyed by that?” asked Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.). “It set the tone for what our staying power is.”
“He predictably overstays his welcome and his effectiveness,” added Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) “He goes from having momentum to hitting the bottom pretty fast and I think he cannot resist overplaying [his] hand.”
Prior to the start of the Senate impeachment trial, Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) held a press conference of their own to defend the president and chastise Democrats.
But some Trump allies aren't arguing with Schumer's strategy. Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), a fierce Trump defender, acknowledged that the Democratic leader was helping his party’s cause by putting himself out there, adding that he “can’t be critical of the other side if I think it’s a good idea for our side.”
Democrats are eager to deliver some counter-messaging to Trump, who can easily seize the public’s attention with his Twitter megaphone. And Schumer has encouraged his members at party lunches to flood the airwaves in a range of media outlets, according to a source familiar with the strategy.
His own caucus also views Schumer as their lead messenger.
“I think there has to be an alternative given everything that we see coming from the other side,” said Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.), the most vulnerable Democrat up for reelection. “There has to be some other voice out there. He doesn’t speak for everybody, he doesn’t always speak for me, but I think there has to be some alternative [to Trump].”
Heather Caygle contributed to this report.
