There is a "very real possibility" that President Donald Trump will pursue foreign interference in future elections if he is not held accountable for his activities with Ukraine, Sen. Jon Tester said Friday.
"There's a real possibility he goes off the rails on this and really does go after foreign interference in our elections in a very bold way, " the Montana Democrat said on CNN's "New Day." "We heard from the defense over the last two or three days who said it's not impeachable. Man, oh man, election security is absolutely one of the most critical things in this country, and it just drives me crazy."
Tester said he thinks that with Republicans being likely to refuse documents and witnesses to provide additional information, a precedent will be set that's harmful to the United States and its system of checks and balances, let alone separation of powers.
"I don't think the defense is engaged on the prosecution's points. ...It's rather obvious and very obvious, in fact, that the president withheld aid so the Ukrainians would do an investigation," said Tester.
He added that Trump tried to corrupt the upcoming presidential election with his answers, and it's "important that we hold people accountable for wrongdoing."
Witnesses could also work in Trump's benefit, said Tester.
"If there were new witnesses brought in, it would help with the process and potentially get me to a point where I could acquit the president," said Tester, "but those witnesses appear not to be coming in."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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