Sen. Ernst Says Trump’s Lawyers ‘Shredded’ Impeachment Case as Democrats Double Down on Call for Witnesses

White House deputy counsel Patrick Philbin speaks during the impeachment trial against Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 25, 2020. Senate Television via AP

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) said President Donald Trump’s defense team “shredded” House impeachment managers’ case against Trump in their opening arguments on Saturday. However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and other Democrats said that the defense’s arguments underscored the need for witnesses.

“I thought today was an incredible two hours, and within two hours, I thought that the White House counsel and their team entirely shredded the case that has been presented by the House managers,” Ernst said. “What we heard today was very concise; it was full of truths and facts, as presented from the House managers’ own witnesses.”