Trump attorney Bruce Castor signaled little course correction on day two of former President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial even after his widely-panned day one performance, telling reporters that the president was satisfied with his performance despite reports to the contrary.
Asked if he is planning to change his strategy after delivering a meandering 50-minute speech that persuaded Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) to flip to voting that the trial is constitutional, Castor replied “not at all,” adding that it’s “such a developed strategy,” according to pool reports.
Cassidy told reporters he met with a “very mixed” reaction to his vote. "Some folks incredibly positive, some folks very negative,” he said. He also said his vote on constitutionality “does not predict” his final vote on conviction.
17. That’s the number of Senate Republicans needed to vote with Democrats in order for Trump to be convicted, far more than the 6 who voted that the trial is constitutional.
Graham echoed Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), who predicted there will be 44 votes or more to acquit. “I think the vote for not guilty will probably grow beyond 44,” he said, adding that he “reinforced to the president, the case is over. It’s just a matter of getting the final verdict now.”