When Ya Ain’t Got Nothin’

@maggieNYT got a copy of the prompt reply from Trump lawyers, who calls the invitation to testify a “public relations stunt.” They do not explicitly say "no" tho

“The use of our Constitution to bring a purported impeachment proceeding is much too serious to play these games." pic.twitter.com/FDDMixhVVh

— Nicholas Fandos (@npfandos) February 4, 2021

Ya got nothin’ to bargain with. 

They can deny the “negative implication” all they want; that doesn’t make it go away. This fight takes place in the court of public opinion. Calling the whole trial “unconstitutional” doesn’t make it so. Just like any complaint about the absence or presence of Trump’s testimony. But one’s a good option, the other is just pitiful. They don’t want Trump to testify. They don’t want to talk about his refusal to testify.

But calling it “games” is particularly weak beer.

Asked if Trump will testify during his impeachment trial next week as Democrats have requested, Trump’s lawyer Bruce Caster tells @NBCNews: “No.”@kwelkernbc @carolelee

— Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) February 4, 2021

Of course he won’t. It would be an absolute disaster if he did.

They were possibly hoping to play on Trump’s desire to defend himself, but sometimes self-preservation takes precedence https://t.co/xnVwSa9LsY

— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) February 4, 2021

No, the House got the response it wanted. Trump’s refusal to testify is another arrow in the quiver. The “negative implication” is set.  The only thing better would be if Trump did testify.

The only time Trump refuses to speak is under oath.

— Windsor Mann (@WindsorMann) February 4, 2021

(They really should use that.)