Samuel Case, FISM News
Former President Donald Trump announced new additions to his legal team after five defense trial lawyers left the case. On Sunday, Trump released a statement saying David Schoen and Bruce L. Castor, Jr. will be working for his team. Schoen had already been working for Trump, while Schoen had previously represented Trump adviser Roger Stone.
In the statement Schoen is quoted as saying,
The strength of our Constitution is about to be tested like never before in our history . . . It is strong and resilient. A document written for the ages, and it will triumph over partisanship yet again, and always.
Over the weekend, attorneys Butch Bowers, who put together the team and was to be Trump’s head counsel, and Deborah Barbier left as a part of a “mutual decision.” Josh Howard, Johnny Gasser, and Greg Harris, also bowed out, leaving Trump with a gutted defense team for February 9th when the trial starts.
While trial is set to begin next week, a new Rasmussen poll suggests most Americans don’t think pursuing impeachment a second time is healthy for the country. According to a survey taken in late January, 57% of likely U.S. voters say “impeachment will further divide America.” The poll shows Americans are split as to whether Trump should be convicted of “high crimes and misdemeanors,” with 50% opposed to conviction and 45% thinking the former president should be found guilty by the Senate.