Trump will refuse to testify voluntarily at 'unconstitutional' Senate impeachment trial

Former US President Donald Trump’s legal team has said that he “will t testify” voluntarily under oath at his impeachment trial in Senate scheduled for next week. House Democrats have charged former Republican leader that he incited insurrection at US Capitol on January 6 that even claimed life of at least five people including one police officer. Just after hours after Democrat Jamie Raskin, who is lead House impeachment manr wrote to Trump asking for him to testify under oath, Trump’s adviser Jason Miller said that 45th US President will refuse to do same. 

Miller dismissed second historic impeachment proceedings against Trump as “unconstitutional”. Former US President’s lawyers rejected request as a “public relations stunt”. request from House impeachment manrs does t require Trump to appear, however, Senate can still later force a subpoena while warning that any refusal to testify could be used at trial to support conviction.

Raskin wrote in a letter made public on February 4 to Trump, “You denied many factual allegations set forth in article of impeachment. You have thus attempted to put critical facts at issue.” Democrat had also written that if Trump refused to do so, an adverse inference would be made from his denial.

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Trump lawyers say ‘ such thing as negative inference’

As per New York Post report, Trump’s lawyers Bruce Castor and David Schoen in a reply to Raskin wrote, “We are in receipt of your latest public relations stunt. As you certainly kw, re is such thing as a negative interference in this unconstitutional proceeding. Your letter only confirms what is kwn to everyone: you cant prove your allegations against 45th President of United States, who is w a private citizen.”

“ use of our Constitution to bring a purported impeachment proceeding is much too serious to try to play se games,” y added even as impeachment manrs accused Trump of being “singularly responsible” for shocking US Capitol siege last month. House had impeached Trump soon after deadly attack on federal building, making him only US President in history to be impeached twice. 

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