How Mitch McConnell Delivered Acquittal for Trump

The majority leader — who has proved adept at the hand-to-hand procedural combat of the Senate, frustrating Democrats at every turn — had been preparing for a trial for nearly a year.

An explosive report detailing how John R. Bolton, the former national security adviser, had confirmed a central allegationagainst Mr. Trump had roiled the Capitol and upended his push to block new witnesses, and if Mr. McConnell did not corral restive Republicans into submission, the trial could be blown wide open.

“We can be smart or we can be stupid,” Mr. McConnell warned his rank and file during a closed-door lunch of halibut, fried chicken and pecan pie in the Capitol, steps from the Senate floor where the trial was to convene shortly. “The choice will be up to us.” Continue  reading.