Ahead of the impeachment trial to begin next week, Attorneys of the Former US President Donald Trump informed that he would not testify voluntarily under oath at the trial. Trump's attorneys Bruce Castor and David Schoen were responding to the request by House Democrats that Trump testifies under oath between Feb 8th-11th.
"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 6th, 2021," James Raskin, Lead Impeachment Manager and former constitutional law professor, wrote to Trump on Thursday.
"If you decline this invitation, 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 (and inaction) on January 6th, 2021," he added.
Slamming the move as a 'public relations stunt', Schoen said, "I don't think anyone being impeached would show up at the proceedings we firmly believe are unconstitutional."
The House impeached Trump for the second time on January 13th alleging the former president of instigating violence at the Capitol on January 6th which left five people dead. Trump's attorneys intend to fight the trial on the ground that the impeachment itself is unconstitutional as Trump no longer holds office.
The impeachment trial is expected to begin on February 9th.