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headline

Donald Trump rejects calls to testify at his impeachment trial

The House impeachment managers have requested Donald Trump testify at his upcoming Senate impeachment trial, in a dramatic move to try to get the former US president on the record about his conduct surrounding the January 6 riots at the Capitol.

But Mr Trump's legal team quickly responded by rejecting the invitation in a terse response to the House impeachment team, putting the decision back on the Democrats over whether to try to compel Mr Trump's testimony with a subpoena.

Lead impeachment manager Representative Jamie Raskin sent a letter to Mr Trump's lawyer today requesting Mr Trump testify before or during the upcoming impeachment trial, which begins on Tuesday, arguing that his testimony was needed after he disputed the House's allegations that he incited the insurrection at the Capitol.

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"Two days ago, you filed an Answer in which you denied many factual allegations set forth in the article of impeachment," Mr Raskin, a Maryland Democrat, wrote.

"You have thus attempted to put critical facts at issue notwithstanding the clear and overwhelming evidence of your constitutional offense. In light of your disputing these factual allegations, I write to invite you to provide testimony under oath, either before or during the Senate impeachment trial, concerning your conduct on January 6, 2021."

Mr Trump's lawyers quickly responded to Mr Raskin's request today, writing back in a three-paragraph letter, saying the request was a sign the House could not prove its allegations against Mr Trump.

"The use of our Constitution to bring a purported impeachment proceeding is much too serious to try to play these games," Mr Trump's attorneys, Bruce Castor and David Schoen, wrote.

Adviser Jason Miller confirmed that Mr Trump was rejecting the request, telling CNN, "The president will not testify in an unconstitutional proceeding".

READ MORE: Trump can't be convicted because he isn't president any more, lawyers say

Senior aides talked Mr Trump out of going to the House floor to defend himself ahead of his second impeachment in January, a similar tactic he also considered the first time he was impeached.

The swift rejection of the request for testimony raises the question of whether Democrats will try to subpoena Mr Trump to testify for the trial.

The House's letter did not mention a subpoena.

Mr Raskin instead suggested the impeachment managers would use his refusal against him, writing, "We reserve any and all rights, including the right to establish at trial that your refusal to testify supports a strong adverse inference regarding your actions."

Mr Raskin declined to comment when asked whether he would subpoena Mr Trump if he declined to appear.

At the first impeachment trial, Democrats sought testimony from Mr Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton, not Mr Trump himself.

But the Democrats' attempt to subpoena Mr Bolton failed after Republicans voted against hearing from any witnesses in the trial before Mr Trump was acquitted.

The question of whether the House managers would seek witnesses had been looming over the start of Mr Trump's second impeachment trial next week, as senators in both parties have been urging a speedy trial so the Senate can move on and work on President Joe Biden's agenda.

READ MORE: Trump's political committee raised millions in final weeks of 2020

But the House managers and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had remained quiet on the question of witnesses until today's letter.

Senators in both parties seemed to pan the idea today.

Senator Joe Manchin, a moderate West Virginia Democrat, said it would be a "dog and pony show".

Senator Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, called it a "terrible idea".

"Have you met President Trump?" Sen. Coons said to reporters when asked to explain his thinking.

Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican who is a close ally of the former president, said it wouldn't be "in anybody's interest" for Mr Trump to testify.

"It's just a political showboat move to do this, and they didn't call him in the House," Sen. Graham said.

While Mr Trump's testimony at a Senate trial would create a made-for-TV moment at the trial, it's unclear whether it would change the outcome of the trial.

Forty-five of the 50 Republican senators voted last week to support dismissing the trial on the grounds that an impeachment trial for a former president is unconstitutional.

Asked whether the House managers were walking into a likely acquittal of Mr Trump because of that vote, Ms Pelosi shot back, "They don't know that".

"Why don't we just wait and let them make their case," Ms Pelosi said.

"If we were not to follow up with this, we might as well remove any penalty from the Constitution."

READ MORE: Donald Trump names two lawyers to impeachment defence team

Supporters of President Donald Trump gather outside the US Capitol in Washington (Photo: January 6, 2021)

The House impeached Mr Trump last month on a charge of inciting the insurrection at the Capitol.

In a pretrial brief filed on Tuesday, the House impeachment managers accused Mr Trump of being "singularly responsible" for the deadly riots, saying Mr Trump's actions spreading false conspiracy theories that the election was stolen incited his supporters to attack the Capitol and try to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power by stopping Congress from certifying the election.

Mr Trump's lawyers argued in a legal brief on Tuesday that the Senate impeachment trial was unconstitutional because Mr Trump was no longer president, and Mr Trump did not incite the rioters.

Mr Trump's legal team also argued Mr Trump's speech was protected by the First Amendment, while contending that Mr Trump's false claims about the election could not be proven inaccurate.

In the letter today, Mr Raskin asked that Mr Trump testify sometime between Monday and Thursday next week.

The trial is slated to begin on Tuesday.

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Driver falls down Melbourne embankment, flips against tree

A driver has escaped serious injuries after falling down a steep embankment and flipping against a tree in Melbourne's inner south-east overnight.

Police believe the 21-year-old Balaclava man was travelling along Alexandra Avenue in Toorak about 1.45am when he lost control of his car.

The man sped through the guard railing along the side of the road, with his black Volkswagen sedan falling about four metres before becoming wedged against a tree on the edge of the Yarra River.

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The 21-year-old managed to call triple-zero for help, with emergency services working to rescue the man.

"When firefighters arrived to the scene they found the vehicle was wedged against a tree near the Yarra, with the driver stuck on top of the car," a Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) spokesperson said.

"FRV's specialist High Angle Rescue Techniques (HART) crews responded, and worked to stabilise the vehicle.

"Once the vehicle was stabilised, firefighters were able to free the driver from the roof using a ladder."

The man was taken to The Alfred hospital in a stable condition with no obvious injuries.

Firefighters remained on scene until just before 6:30am to make the area safe.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with dashcam footage from the area at the time is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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US condemns assassination of Lebanese activist Lokman Slim

WASHINGTON, DC — The United States has condemned the heinous assassination of prominent Lebanese activist Lokman Slim in Southern Lebanon.

“We join the international community in calling for his killers to be brought to swift justice,” said US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. “Mr. Slim devoted his life to bringing about positive change in Lebanon. He bravely pushed for justice, accountability, and rule of law in his country.

“It is cowardly and unacceptable to resort to violence, threats, and intimidation as a means of subverting the rule of law or suppressing freedom of expression and civic activism,” said Blinken. “We urge Lebanese officials, including the judiciary and political leaders, to hold accountable those who commit such barbaric acts without delay or exception.”

The post US condemns assassination of Lebanese activist Lokman Slim appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

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Event planners, public encouraged, adhere to COVID-19 Prevention and Control Act Protocols

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — Event planners and the public in St. Kitts and Nevis are strongly encouraged to adhere to the provisions for hosting social events as outlined in the COVID-19 Prevention and Control Act.

“Events including those held on public beaches can contribute to an increased risk of the spread of the virus in communities if persons are not adhering to the health and safety protocols as stipulated in the Act,” said Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force Superintendent Cromwell Henry during the February 3 National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) COVID-19 Briefing.

“We are well aware that social events bring people together in ways that facilitate the spread of the virus from person to person,” he said. “Some may say that there is no COVID-19 in the community and that all the cases are contained and are in quarantine – this may be so, but not entirely so. The truth is we do not know when there will be a case of COVID-19 in the community.”

Section 12 outlines the guidelines for using public beaches. The section clearly states that a person may visit a public beach,
(a) For the purposes of swimming or exercise;
(b) Where no more than eight members of the immediate family should be in close proximity to each other;
(c) Where there shall be no picnics, beach parties or other gatherings; and
(d) Where all persons shall adhere to social distancing and physical distancing protocols pursuant to section 6.

Section 9 of the COVID-19 Prevention and Control Act speaks specifically to the restriction on social activities. It states that:
(1) Subject to section 12, no person shall host, attend or visit a social activity or gathering of more than 25 persons including
(a) A private party;
(b) A banquet, ball or reception;
(c) Any other ceremony in any facility or public place;
(d) A meeting of a fraternal society, private or social club or civic association or organization;
(e) Any public beach, subject to sections 6 and 12; or
(f) Any other type of social event, except with the written permission of the Commissioner of Police in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer.

“Whenever permission is granted for an event at a specific venue, that permission is not transferrable to another venue,” said Supt. Henry. “Permission must be sought for any change of venue because changing venue without permission will automatically void the permit.”

Section 9 further states that:
(2) A person who contravenes the provisions of this section, commits an offense and shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $5,000, and
(3) Notwithstanding subsection 2, a police officer or member of a compliance team may in accordance with the provisions of section 8(4) and section 22(2), issue a fixed penalty notice to a person who contravenes the provisions of this section.

The post Event planners, public encouraged, adhere to COVID-19 Prevention and Control Act Protocols appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

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Collaboration among members makes CARICOM more powerful

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), is more powerful when it speaks with one voice on regional and international matters, according to Samuel Berridge, Assistant Secretary in the Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister.

“Just the functional co-operation element of it, by the states co-operating and collaborating, we were able to save a lot of resources,” said Berridge. “The very impetus for regional integration is to bring about the pooling of resources. Whenever we go to international conferences, there is a CARICOM caucus. So, we arrive at one position.”

“We are one, but when we are together, we are 15,” he said. “There is power in our numbers. There are unity and strength.”

“There is not always consensus, because all member states are sovereign states,” explained Berridge. “However, to the greatest extent possible, Member States are encouraged to harmonize their positions and increase their voice with respect to the regional and international agenda.

“In terms of functional co-operation, if there is a project at the UN, it makes sense for us to put our resources together and get a regional project so that everybody benefits,” he said. “There is an added benefit of the CARICOM Secretariat doing the overarching work.

“They have a holistic approach to it so if for example, we are lagging in one area, another Member State can actually step up,” concluded Berridge.

The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) is an integration movement of 20 developing countries in the Caribbean–15 Member States and five Associate Members. They came together to form an economic and political community. Its primary objectives are to promote economic integration and cooperation among its members, to ensure that the benefits of integration are equitably shared, and to coordinate foreign policy.

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