Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said that the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump is rigged.
He said that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) have set up an unfair process against Trump.
“Rounds one and two by Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Adam Schiff are as rigged as a carnival ring toss, and we both know that,” Kennedy told host Chuck Todd during an appearance on NBCs “Meet the Press” on Dec. 1.
“Have they allowed the president to call his own witnesses? No. Have they allowed him to have his lawyer present? No. Have they allowed him to offer rebuttal evidence? No. Have they allowed him to cross-examine the witnesses that were hand-picked by Speaker Pelosi? No. Whether you like the president or dont, we both I know agree with due process. Nobody is above the law, but nobody is beneath the law. The Bill of Rights is not an a la carte menu,” Kennedy added.
Top Republicans have repeatedly said that Trump is being denied crucial due process rights during the impeachment inquiry, which was launched in late September.
The White House said later Sunday that it would not participate in the House Judiciary Committee hearings, which start on Wednesday after two weeks of hearings held by Schiffs committee.
“We cannot fairly be expected to participate in a hearing while the witnesses are yet to be named and while it remains unclear whether the Judiciary Committee will afford the President a fair process through additional hearings,” White House counsel Pat Cipollone wrote in a letter to House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.). “Under the current circumstances, we do not intend to participate in your Wednesday hearing.”
Trump told reporters on Monday that “the whole thing is a hoax.”
“Everybody knows it. All you have to do is look at the words of the Ukrainian president that he just issued, and you know its a hoax. Its an absolute disgrace what theyre doing to our country,” he added.
