Donald Trump’s impeachment trial at the senate is set to end next week Wednesday after the senators on Friday night, voted 51-49 against calling witnesses to testify in the ongoing impeachment trial.
The witnesses are needed by Democrats to corroborate House of Reps allegations that Trump abused his power and obstructed congress by withholding military aid to Ukraine in exchange for investigations into his political rival, Joe Biden.
Senators arrived in the Capitol for four hours of debate on whether to call witnesses. Two Republicans, Mitt Romney and Susan Collins, joined Democrats in their push for witnesses – but it was not enough as Republicans had majority votes of 51 who voted against calling witnesses while 49 other senators voted in favour of witnesses.
A final vote on Trump’s acquittal will now take place on Wednesday 4pm which will be after the president’s State of the Union address.