Will Bolton Testify? 3 Key Senators Are Noncommittal

John Bolton shook up the in-limbo impeachment process Monday by saying he would testify in a Senate trial if subpoenaed. A day later, we have little clarity on whether that will actually happen. By the math at Politico, Democrats would need four moderate Republicans to join them in voting for a subpoena. But three of those potential votes—Mitt Romney, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski—declined to commit when asked. Both Murkowski and Collins said they preferred to let the trial proceed before making a decision on witnesses. Romney said of Bolton, "I'd like to hear what he has to say," but he declined to say whether he'd vote in favor of a subpoena.

While much of the attention over Bolton is focused on what happens in the Senate, some are wondering whether the House might issue a subpoena, too. At NBC News, Kurt Bardella thinks it makes sense. "The House should continue its investigation into President Donald Trump's potential abuses of power if new and relevant information becomes available," he writes. Of course, such a move would "alter the impeachment dynamic" by further delaying the House's submission of articles of impeachment to the Senate, notes Susan Crabtree at Real Clear Politics. Lindsey Graham wants to get on with it, and fellow GOP Sen. Josh Hawley is floating a rule change that would allow the Senate to quickly dismiss the impeachment charges. (More Trump impeachment stories.)