Does This Sound Like a Threat to You? “Vote Against The President and Your Head Will Be On A Pike”

An undisclosed Trump confidant recently told CBS News that Republican senators were “warned” that if they vote against him in the senatorial impeachment trial, they can expect their heads to “be on a pike.” There’s no word on the confidant’s identity, or how the message was delivered. It’s unclear if the message came directly from Trump or from a member of his circle—safe to say whoever it was has been watching too much Game of Thrones. Regardless, given the claim’s veracity, it points to further pressure Trump is putting on GOP senators to bend to his will.

Of the 53 GOP senators present, not one has said thus far if they will vote against him in the upcoming trial. Mitt Romney recently stated he would vote in favor of hearing witness testimony, something Trump has said multiple times he would attempt to block, given the chance. Democrats claim during the house impeachment phase the Trump administration failed to comply with Congress-issued subpoenas for witnesses. GOP senators are currently arguing that witnesses could greatly prolong the trial. Thus far, the issue of the witnesses has brought up issues of “executive privilege,” given Trump’s attempt to use the presidential power to bar witness testimony, a use of the power that may not be constitutional.

Friday marks day five of the trial, in which House Democrats have been highlighting Trump’s obstruction of congress in regards to said witnesses, as well as documents that have been barred from presentation because of Trump’s meddling.

In opening statements, House managers examined the debunked conspiracy theories invoked by Pres. Trump.

A @POTUS confidant tells CBS News that GOP senators were warned: “vote against the president & your head will be on a pike.”

Here’s @nancycordeshttps://t.co/LV1Y6QveIhpic.twitter.com/tLB9EpoWr8

— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) January 23, 2020