Senate Republicans will call in the FBI to testify in former President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial if Democrats open “a can of worms” by calling witnesses, Sen. Lindsey Graham warned.
Speaking to Fox News in an interview Monday evening, Graham (R-SC) made the remarks while criticizing impeachment proceedings against the former commander-in-chief.
“The second impeachment of Donald Trump is not wearing well over time. Democrats are in a box,” he said.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has kept his cards close to the vest regarding his stance on impeachment, but Graham offered some insight into the top-ranking Senate Republican’s current position on the matter as the trial approaches.
“I had a great meeting with Sen. McConnell today, I think every Republican sees the House process as an affront to the presidency and due process,” Graham said.
After being asked about the concerns of the constitutionality of impeaching a former president, the South Carolina senator continued, “Sen. McConnell basically told the Republican conference exactly what you just said. He was offended by the process in the House.”
The House voted 232-197 to impeach Trump one week to the day after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Democrats filed a single article of impeachment, charging the president with “incitement of an insurrection.”
When Senate Democrats move forward with their impeachment proceedings next week, Graham warned that even calling one witness would result in a drawn-out trial.
“If you open that can of worms, we’ll want the FBI to come in and tell us about how people pre-planned this attack and what happened with the security footprint at the Capitol.”
“You open up Pandora’s Box if you call one witness,” he added.