[PJMedia] On Friday afternoon, the Senate voted against compelling more witnesses and documents in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. The final vote was 49-51.The vote went as expected, with every Democrat voting for more witnesses and documents and every Republican voting against extending the trial, with the exceptions of Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Mitt Romney (R-Utah).
"The House chose to send articles of impeachment that are rushed and flawed. I carefully considered the need for additional witnesses and documents, to cure the shortcomings of its process, but ultimately decided that I will vote against considering motions to subpoena," Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) tweeted in a statement explaining why she would vote against extending the trial.
Without more witnesses and documents, the Senate impeachment trial will conclude next week. Axios reported that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has planned to delay the vote to convict Trump until Wednesday, after the Iowa caucuses on Monday and Trump's state of the union address on Tuesday.
Even if the vote does not take place until Wednesday, the trial is effectively over. The Senate will almost certainly vote to acquit Trump, leaving him in office and allowing him to run for re-election.