Senate Subpoenas Key Witnesses in Clinton Impeachment Trial

Strategic Insights -

The Senate has issued subpoenas for sworn interviews next week, marking a crucial step in the Republican-led effort to conclude President Clinton's impeachment trial. Monica Lewinsky, the former White House intern at the center of the scandal, will be questioned by House prosecutors beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday. The House aims to bolster its case that Clinton obstructed justice by concealing his relationship with Lewinsky.

The process, governed by a resolution adopted by the Senate on Thursday, is expected to continue until February 12, when the trial is set to conclude. However, White House Press Secretary Joe Lockhart has expressed concerns that the resolution's ambiguities could prolong the trial indefinitely.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Senate has formally issued subpoenas for Monica Lewinsky, Vernon Jordan, and Sidney Blumenthal, three key witnesses in the Clinton impeachment trial.
  • House prosecutors will question Lewinsky starting at 9 a.m. on Monday, with Jordan and Blumenthal being questioned on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
  • The depositions will take place in the Capitol and are expected to last no more than eight hours each, divided between prosecutors and White House lawyers.
  • Questions will be limited to subject matters reflected in the Senate record, but prosecutors and White House lawyers may also refer to media reports not part of the record.
  • Two senators, one Republican and one Democrat, will jointly preside over the depositions.

Statistics:

  • 25: The age of Monica Lewinsky, the former White House intern at the center of the scandal.
  • 9 a.m.: The time at which House prosecutors will begin questioning Lewinsky on Monday.
  • 8 hours: The maximum duration of each deposition, divided between prosecutors and White House lawyers.
  • 2 dozen: The number of people allowed to be present at each deposition under rules agreed to by Senate Leader Trent Lott and Minority Leader Tom Daschle.

Sources:

  • Mark Sherman, The Associated Press, February [no date provided].