An Impeachment Trial That Could Unfold Out of Public View
WASHINGTON — Americans tuning in to witness electrifying exchanges in the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump might be in for a shock themselves: Lawmakers could pull the C-Span plug and go into closed session at critical moments of debate over the conduct of the trial and the fate of the president.
Senators met extensively in closed session during the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton in 1999 — at least six times — to debate questions of witnesses and whether to dismiss the articles of impeachment, and also to conduct final deliberations much as a court jury would on whether to remove him from office.
Such sessions also occurred in the impeachment trial of Andrew Johnson and have been typical in the impeachment trials of federal judges. But those events are in the past, and the notion of the Senate essentially going dark during such a momentous event might catch many people off guard.
Senator John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 2 Republican, said Thursday that it was “hard to say” whether or how often the Trump impeachment trial might move into closed session. But gathering privately could occur as early as Tuesday, depending on how seriously Republicans and Democrats clash over ground rules for the remainder of the proceeding.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/an-impeachment-trial-that-could-unfold-out-of-public-view/ar-BBZ2pqb?ocid=msn360
If Moscow Mitch has his way the whole thing will be blacked out.