Manchin votes for “more witnesses” to legitimize Trump impeachment trial.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (R) (D-CA) talks with Sen. Joe Manchin (L) (D-WV) before the start of the State of the Union speech in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 20, 2015 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Barack Obama was expected to lay out a broad agenda including attempts to address income inequality and making it easier for Americans to afford college education and child care. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON — On Friday, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) voted to legitimize the impeachment trial of President Donald J. Trump by requesting more witnesses to testify on behalf of the House Managers’ impeachment claims of “abuse of power” and “obstruction of Congress.” Manchin’s vote has drawn criticism in West Virginia, because the House Democrats’ impeachment articles were not based upon the constitutionally mandated charges: treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

While “abuse of power” and “obstruction of Congress” are rhetorical arguments, they are not specific crimes recorded in U.S. law. Therefore, a president cannot be impeached for such violations.

Furthermore, several of the witnesses that Democratic House Managers were wanting to subpoena to testify before the U.S. Senate were not summoned in the initial House Impeachment inquiry. Additionally, the President’s legal counsel was also denied their right to cross-examine the witnesses who were summoned in the House.

Manchin voted with all 47 Senate Democrats for additional witnesses and evidence to be admitted.