Lindsey Graham pleads with Democrats not to call the QAnon Shaman as a witness at Trump's impeachment trial to avoid a 'complete circus'
Sen. Lindsey Graham begged Democrats not to call the 'QAnon Shaman' as a witness during former President Donald Trump's Senate impeachment trial in a Friday tweet.
'I cannot think of a better way to turn the upcoming impeachment trial into a complete circus than to call the QAnon Shaman as a witness on anything,' Graham wrote.
A lawyer for Jacob Chansley, who refers to himself as the 'QAnon Shaman,' and who took part in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol while sporting face paint, no shirt and a furry hat with horns is offering to have his client testify.
Sen. Lindsey Graham begged Democrats not to have the 'QAnon Shaman' testify at former President Donald Trump's upcoming Senate impeachment trial
On Friday, Graham shared an Associated Press article about the lawyer of the so-called 'QAnon Shaman,' who said his client, Jacob Chansley, would happily testify
Meanwhile, the twice impeached former President Donald Trump was spotted spending close to five hours at his West Palm Beach golf course on Friday
Jacob Chansley, who goes by the nickname 'QAnon Shaman,' is seen confronting Capitol Police officers during the January 6 insurrection
Chansley, center with fur and horned hat, confronted by Capitol Police officers outside the Senate Chamber. A video showed Chansley leading others in a prayer inside the Senate chamber
Graham shared an article about the offer when making his plea to senators across the aisle.
'The House impeached President Trump without a witness. If we open the witness door in the Senate there will be lots of witnesses requested on a variety of topics. And the trial will go for months, not days,' the South Carolina Republican and top Trump ally also offered.
Meanwhile, the twice impeached Trump was spotted golfing near Mar-a-Lago Friday, a day after meeting with the top House Republican, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy - proof that he still has a strong foothold on the party.
McCarthy and Trump agreed that the ex-president would continue to raise money for House Republicans, as it looks unlikely the Senate will convict him of 'inciting' the January 6 MAGA mob.
Chansley's lawyer Albert Watkins said he hasn't spoken to any member in the Senate since announcing his offer to have Jacob Chansley testify at Trump's trial, which is scheduled to begin the week of Feb. 8.
Watkins said it´s important for senators to hear the voice of someone who was incited by Trump.
Watkins said his client was previously 'horrendously smitten' by Trump but now feels let down after Trump's refusal to grant Chansley and others who participated in the insurrection a pardon.
'He felt like he was betrayed by the president,' Watkins said.
The words of Trump supporters who are accused of participating in the riot may end up being used against him in the impeachment trial.
Chansley and at least four others people who are facing federal charges stemming from the riot have suggested they were taking orders from Trump.
Chansley hasn't yet entered a plea to charges civil disorder, obstruction of an official proceeding, disorderly conduct in a restricted building, demonstrating in a Capitol building and other counts. He is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Washington.
In successfully seeking his detention until trial, prosecutors said Chansley went into the Capitol carrying a U.S. flag attached to a wooden pole topped with a spear, ignored an officer's commands to leave, went into the Senate chamber and wrote a threatening note to then-Vice President Mike Pence.
Chansley has long been a fixture at Trump rallies, told investigators he came to the Capitol 'at the request of the president that all "patriots" come to D.C. on January 6,' according to court records.
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