GOP Sen. Mike Braun: 'It'll be interesting to see' how Senate Republicans react to Bolton's bombshell


Most of the Sunday political talk shows had already aired by the time The New York Times reported that former National Security Adviser John Bolton reveals first-hand information on President Trump linking Ukraine military aid to Kyiv investigating Joe Biden and other Democratic targets in his upcoming book. But Kasie Hunt's MSNBC show Kasie DC had not taped, and she got what we might think of as a first draft of the Senate Republican response from Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.).
Earlier Sunday, NBC's Chuck Todd had asked Braun on Meet the Press about Trump's impeachment trial, on which Braun serves as a juror. He said the Democratic House impeachment managers had "put together a broad, comprehensive case" last week, but it was "circumstantial in nature."
Now that there appears to be first-hand evidence from a willing witness, Hunt asked Braun Sunday evening, "do you care that John Bolton is saying that the president had a quid pro quo for money that Congress authorized for this purpose?" Braun said you have to consider the whole of Bolton's allegations, including his integrity. "Do you question John Bolton's integrity?" Hunt asked. "No," Braun said, "but you'd go through that." He added that the case so far "didn't deliver the goods," and "it'll be interesting to see what happens" with the new revelation.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
We finally know the kind of information Bolton could testify to, if four Republicans agree to subpoena him, so "how can you stand up and say, 'Sorry, I don't want to hear it?'" Hunt asked. "We'll all have to size that up and see what we think, how it impacts our own decisions on what we do with more information," Braun answered.
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) had an easier time with the question. Peter Weber
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Trump set to hit Canada with 35% tariffs
Speed Read The president accused Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney of failing to stop the cross-border flow of fentanyl
-
Mahmoud Khalil files $20M claim over ICE detention
Speed Read This is the 'first damages complaint' brought by an individual targeted by the Trump's administration's 'crackdown' on Gaza war protesters
-
Trump threatens Brazil with 50% tariffs
Speed Read He accused Brazil's current president of leading a 'witch hunt' against far-right former leader Jair Bolsonaro
-
AI scammer fakes Rubio messages to top officials
Speed Read The unknown individual mimicked Rubio in voice and text messages sent to multiple government officials
-
SCOTUS greenlights Trump's federal firings
speed read The Trump administration can conduct mass federal firings without Congress' permission, the Supreme Court ruled
-
New tariffs set on 14 trading partners
Speed Read A new slate of tariffs will begin August 1 on imports from Japan, South Korea, Thailand and more
-
Elon Musk launching 'America Party'
Speed Read The tech mogul promised to form a new political party if Trump's megabill passed Congress
-
Judge blocks Trump's asylum ban at US border
Speed Read The president violated federal law by shutting down the US-Mexico border to asylum seekers, said the ruling