Democrats cry foul over Schiff backlash | TheHill – The Hill

Democrats are pushing back at GOP backlash over a controversial line in House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam SchiffAdam Bennett SchiffSunday shows preview: Lawmakers prepare for week two of impeachment trial Trump defense team signals focus on Schiff Schiff pushes back: Defense team knows Trump is guilty MOREs (D-Calif.) closing statement in Friday night's impeachment trial arguments.

Schiffsparked an audible reaction from Republicans when he referenced a CBS News report that cited an anonymous Trump confidant saying GOP senators' headswould be on a pike if they opposed President TrumpDonald John TrumpKaine: Obama called Trump a 'fascist' during 2016 campaign Kaine: GOP senators should 'at least' treat Trump trial with seriousness of traffic court Louise Linton, wife of Mnuchin, deletes Instagram post in support of Greta Thunberg MORE on impeachment.

Republicans including Sens. LisaMurkowski(Alaska) and Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsKaine: GOP senators should 'at least' treat Trump trial with seriousness of traffic court Romney: 'It's very likely I'll be in favor of witnesses' in Trump impeachment trial Schumer: Trump's team made case for new witnesses 'even stronger' MORE (Maine) quickly distanced themselves, with Collins overheard repeatedly saying "thats not true" and Murkowski saying Schiff "overreached."

But Senate Democrats are rallying behindSchiff, accusing Republicans offauxoutrage or overreacting to a few sentences in an hourlong closing statement for the House managers.

"The most dangerous place in America, maybe in Washington, is to stand by the exit door at the White House because when you fall out of favor with this president, he lops off your head, throws your body in the snow and buries you in vicious tweets," said Sen. DickDurbin(D-Ill.), the No. 2 Democrat, when asked about the GOP reaction to the line.

"So the notion that he may be following this and have some feelings about how people vote is not preposterous,"Durbinadded.

Asked about the outrage from Republicans, Sen. Jon TesterJonathan (Jon) TesterDemocrats cry foul over Schiff backlash Democrats feel political momentum swinging to them on impeachment Nadler gets under GOP's skin MORE (D-Mont.), who won reelection in 2018 in a red state, saidSchiff'scomment wasn't a mistake and that "in some cases people are just looking for excuses."

Sen. Chris MurphyChristopher (Chris) Scott MurphyDemocrats cry foul over Schiff backlash Tensions between McConnell and Schumer run high as trial gains momentum Nadler gets under GOP's skin MORE (D-Conn.)added in a tweetthat Republicans were jumping on the line as a distraction to avoid the substance of the allegations against President Trump.

Schiffreferenced the report as he was in the final stretch of his closing argument on the Senate floor Friday night.

"CBS News reported last night that a Trump confidant said that key senators were warned, 'Vote against the president and your head will be on a pike.' I don't know if that's true," Schiff said.

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Democrats cry foul over Schiff backlash | TheHill - The Hill